(Matthew 6)
Hester Prynne is the heroine of the famous American novel, The Scarlet Letter. She lives in colonial New England. After marrying an older man who leaves her for long periods, she allows herself to be seduced. When she gives birth to a baby, the town condemns her. Her penalty is that she must wear a big red “A” for adultery on her clothing. She does so while going about the town with her daughter and helping everyone. As the years pass, the townspeople forget Hester’s crime. They see her care for others and think the “A” on her clothing stands for “angel.”
In a few moments we will have ashes put on our foreheads. Like Hester Prynne’s scarlet letter the ashes are a sign that we have sinned. We have loved ourselves too much. We have not served God and neighbor enough. Along with wearing ashes today, we should make extra efforts to fast, pray, and help others during the forty days of Lent. When we do so, God will forget our offenses like the people forget that Hester’s letter “A” stands for adultery. Again like Hester, we will be remembered for our virtue not for our faults.
So let us take on all the disciplines of Lent willingly. A generation ago some preachers recommended that we “do something positive for Lent” and not give up anything. That was not wise advice. We must curb our desire for constant gratification as well as develop the practice of serving others. In these ways we shall draw close to God. In these ways we shall rise with Christ on Easter.
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