As we enter the season of Lent in 2025, we are invited once again to walk the path of reflection, repentance, and renewal. In the United Methodist tradition, Lent is a 40-day journey (excluding Sundays) leading us to the joy of Easter. It is a time to realign our hearts with God, following Jesus’ example of prayer, fasting, and sacrificial love.
John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, emphasized the means of grace—practices that draw us closer to God. During Lent, we are encouraged to engage in these means of grace intentionally. We fast, not to earn favor with God, but to make space for the Holy Spirit to work in us. We give, not out of obligation, but as a response to God’s generosity. We pray and study Scripture, not merely as a discipline, but as a way of deepening our relationship with Christ.
This season is not about mere ritual—it is about transformation. As we reflect on Jesus’ journey to the cross, we are called to examine our own lives. Where do we need to grow? Where do we need to let go of bitterness, fear, or selfishness? Where is God calling us to love more deeply and serve more faithfully?
In 2025, as Trinity continues to discern its path forward, Lent reminds us that our identity is not found in divisions or debates but in Christ alone. We are a people shaped by grace, committed to walking humbly with our God.
May this season draw us closer to Jesus, the One who leads us through the wilderness and into the light of resurrection.
Grace and peace,
Joseph