Lent
Lent’s countercultural call is as old as the church—and more necessary than ever
By Charles C. Camosy and Sherif K. Moussa — February 20, 2020
(RNS) — Lent can help us turn away from politics and focus on how our participation in a consumerist, throwaway culture contributes to inequality.
#MeToo, ‘Mary Magdalene’ focus on women’s stories in Bible as Easter nears
By Emily McFarlan Miller — April 18, 2019
(RNS) — It seems like the women of Scripture are having a moment leading up to Easter (April 21), celebrated by many Christians as the day they believe Jesus rose from the dead.
Learning how to mourn among the Maya
By Julia Lieblich — April 11, 2019
(RNS) — The Maya have taught me how to honor the dead, naming and remember the people some politicians would have them forget.
Rejoicing in the midst of sorrow
By Kate Bowler — April 5, 2019
(RNS) — We do not have to reduce ourselves to someone who exists only to endure hardship.
Flannery O’Connor instructs Catholics to ‘stalk joy in scandal time’
By Paul O'Donnell — March 26, 2019
(RNS) — O’Connor, who would have turned 94 this week, still shows a way forward for Catholics burdened by bad news about the church's earthly leaders.
Lent is a season of stubborn hope
By Kate Bowler — March 25, 2019
(RNS) — Lent is the right time to sit with darker truths, a time to reflect on our limitations and to remind ourselves that none of us is immune to the universe.
How Lent prepares us for what is lost
By Kate Bowler — March 14, 2019
(RNS) — What happens when an accident, old age or illness robs loved ones of their memory, and we forget that they are a child of God?
Pundits repent of Twitter sins, apply faith to social media
By Elizabeth E. Evans — March 13, 2019
(RNS) — Political insiders and other pundits who are public about their beliefs are taking steps to tweet, post and blog according to the tenets of their faith.
Why Rev. Amy Butler is talking politics, sin and loss this Lent
By Jack Jenkins — March 12, 2019
(RNS) — 'We’re going to take the season of Lent ... and see if we can’t reclaim some of the language for sin,' the Rev. Amy Butler said.
Episcopal Presiding Bishop Michael Curry preaches on selflessness at Baptist church
By Adelle M. Banks — March 7, 2019
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (RNS) — 'Selfishness is a cancer that will destroy from within better than anything can destroy from without,' said Curry.
A fresh take on Lent from Jewish New Testament professor Amy-Jill Levine
By Emily McFarlan Miller — March 7, 2019
(RNS) — 'If I’m not a believer in Jesus, and I think these are fabulous stories, how much more so should somebody who’s a Christian find extraordinary meaning in them?' Vanderbilt Divinity School Professor Amy-Jill Levine says of the stories of Holy Week.
Pope opens Lent with call to avoid ‘clutches of consumerism’
By Associated Press — March 6, 2019
ROME (AP) — Pope Francis has urged Roman Catholic faithful to free themselves from the 'clutches of consumerism and the snares of selfishness' as he marked the start of Lent.
Fasting from food, feeding on the Bible during Lent
By Thomas Reese — March 6, 2019
(RNS) — While fasting is a time-honored way to observe Lent, another ancient tradition concerns being nourished by the Word of God.
Pancakes, Fat Tuesday and cheering for the losing team
By Kate Bowler — March 5, 2019
(RNS) — In a world that prizes self-affirmation, confidence and pride, Ash Wednesday comes as a slap in the face, a bracing cold shower of reality. Inescapably, we are told of our lingering weaknesses, faults and helplessness.
4 things to know about Ash Wednesday
By William Johnston — March 5, 2019
(The Conversation) — The Christian practice of marking ashes on believers' foreheads to kick off the penitent season of Lent dates to the 10th century.
