On Lent and Love

Growing up with a Christian background, surrounded by Christians my entire life, there are many traditions that have become just another routine or habit. Lent could be perceived as one of those traditions. Each year, I reflect on what I should give up, and sometimes it’s just for the sake of fasting, not necessarily because I see it as a way for me to grow closer to the Lord. Whenever I get to this point in my spiritual walk, where I forget why I do the things I do, I am reminded of the Parable of the Good Samaritan. The Levite and the Priest did everything correct according to the Law. They were on their way to the temple to worship God and knew that touching blood would make them unclean, so they avoided the severely injured man by crossing the street. They knew all the right things to do, but they completely missed the point! Regardless of the “do’s” and “don’ts” of the law, or the doctrine, God is a God of love, and what He calls us to do is love! “Love the Lord your God” and “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 26: 36, 40).

During this season of Lent, as I pray and read through the Lenten meditations, I hope to grow in love for God, and express that love by loving His people in a tangible manner. This year, Episcopal Relief & Development’s Lenten Meditations focus on providing economic opportunities and strengthening communities, with a specific emphasis on women. Having this focus will help me discern exactly how I will use my gifts and abundance to empower other women as they discover their gifts as well. In a previous blog, Chad Brinkman from our Engagement team, describes Christ as the ultimate example of a life lived in love and service, and I can only hope to follow in His footsteps. As one person, I may not be able to do much, but thank God I am not alone! We are Christ’s body and we are called to love and heal our hurting world, together. 

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Angela Kim is the Intern for Marketing and Communications at Episcopal Relief & Development. 

Images: Top, Kelly Frances Dunn, ‘Ash Wednesday Ash Wednesday Art’. Bottom, Hogarth, ‘The Good Samaritan’ from St Bartholomew’s Hospital, as engraved by Thomas Cook.