We need Lent! Our forebears were wise to put its 40 days into the calendar to keep us mindful of the great sacrifice of Christ and the immense love of the Father, the overwhelming grace-full—and grotesque—suffering of the Trinity.

In these post-modern times, sin and failure are almost universally unacknowledged, though everyone experiences or is aware of disillusionment and despair.

In response to this anguish, Lent and its fulfillment of the Promising God’s forgiveness are great gifts the church can offer the world around it.