The Lenten Ritual

Mike's Super Easy Sunday Message

“Excuse me sir, there’s dirt on your forehead.”
“Oh, yes, thank you. It’s Ash Wednesday. I smudged my head with burnt palm to show Jesus that I care and I’m ready to enter Heaven.”
“OK. Good for you. Have a nice day!”

It’s the Lenten Season – 40 business days, 44 other days of some other calculation, 46 days counting every day until Easter Sunday – listen, I have no idea why (this calculation changed even as late as 1970). All I was told, as a kid, is that we have to ‘get our ashes’ and ‘give up chocolate’! In addition to this crazy idea of not eating chocolate for 40-somewhat days, there was NO MEAT ALLOWED on Fridays during this ‘season’. WHHAATT?!? “Mom, I’m an under-nourished kid! I need a burger or some Boar’s Head ham!” But my parents insisted that I live in eternity with Jesus – so, I abided.

So, here’s the absolute God-messaged, truth: You do NOT have to perform some, any or all of the above-mentioned rituals! God does NOT care if this is done! However, yes, you are doing ‘something’ in Jesus’ name (which is fine, in and of itself) but nothing, and I mean NOTHING you ‘DO’ for Lent or any other ‘religious ritual’ will ‘get you into Heaven’ – NOTHING!

Lent was ‘invented’ by man. So was ‘Meatless Fridays’. The only thing standing between you and living in Heaven with God is YOUR KNOWING of HIM through Jesus Christ’s life and teachings! Also, living a ‘life’ in Christ’s name while honoring God in everything you do! No ‘converting’ is EVER necessary! Jews don’t have to NOT be Jews – they can remain EXACTLY as they are! This goes for EVERY NATIONALITY – STAY YOURSELVES! A ‘conversion’ involves Religion – and that is what God is NOT about!

Mankind has made ‘getting into Heaven’ VERY difficult when, in fact, it’s ridiculously easy! My goal? I have none. I’m not here writing these weekly messages in the hopes that “I get 20 people this week to ‘come over’ to MY side, Bwahahahaha!!!!!” (evil laugh)! You may do and think as you feel. My new ‘contract’ with God is to tell the story – the true story. I don’t earn commission on ‘convincing people’ to know Christ. The most important thing I gave up for Lent was Religion. Don’t let ‘Religion’ distract you from God. See you next week (unless, of course, you’ve given me up for Lent as I put a bad taste in your mouth from this message)!