Day of Repentance 2021

Next week, the season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday. The public activities leading up to that day will be very different this year. Large gatherings and parades have been banned in New Orleans. Rio De Janeiro has canceled its “Carnival” celebration for 2021. “Fat Tuesday” will be very lean due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The world is subdued, sad, and anxious. More than ever, people need to hear Good News in the midst of all the bad news.

Jesus’ first words in Mark chapter one were, “The right time is here; the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe in that Good News” (Mark 1:15).

Jesus proclaimed that the times were not out of control and that God was doing His good and gracious work-even during upheaval and anxiety. The Savior turned hearts and minds from fear and hopelessness to trust in God’s grace and truth. That Spirit-led change of heart and mind, that return to the Gospel, is repentance.

The purpose of repentance is not to be swallowed up by guilt. It is to be freed from a dark and destructive direction by God’s wakening Word, and to be sent on a new path by the sin-conquering Savior. It’s what we all need. The first thesis of Martin Luther’s 95 Theses underscored this need: “When our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, said, ‘Repent,’ He called for the entire life of believers to be one of repentance.”

It is appropriate that, in our fast-moving lives and packed schedules, we take time to return, by God’s grace, to His Good News. We need to acknowledge that we stray off course. We need to be called back to the Way and the Truth and the Life. Especially during this pandemic, God calls us to the cross and the empty tomb, the pathway forged by His Son for our rescue and restoration.

I invite you to join me in a Day of Repentance on Ash Wednesday, February 17th. Will you approach the throne of grace in prayer personally? Will you bring your prayers of repentance to our loving God on behalf of the church? Will you let the pandemic-and all the trials of this broken world-become a prayerful pathway to renewed faith and fresh proclamation of the saving Good News? People need what have received. Please join me in asking God to renew our hearts and minds with faith and to create in us a firm resolve to share His gifts with all people.

Some simple resources for the day-Scripture readings and prayers, can be found on the district website.

Thank you for your faithful and energetic ministries. You continue to shine the light of Jesus’ hope in extraordinary ways. As we enter this Lenten season, I am asking our Heavenly Father to protect you from the devil’s assaults, to strengthen you in your self-sacrificial service, and to restore your hearts with the joy of His salvation.

The Lord bless and keep you,

President Newman

Rev. Michael W. Newman, President

Texas District, LCMS

Click HERE for Day of Repentance Resources.