The journey through to resurrection

Lent is the journey through to Resurrection! It is a journey ‘through’ suffering, trial, and death for Jesus, but it is a journey ‘to’ his Resurrection.

If you see a butterfly depicted in a church, it is a symbol for the resurrection of Jesus. Jesus on his death is wrapped in a shroud and placed in a grave, but at Easter bursts out of his cocoon as a beautiful butterfly.

Our school science classes taught us that a butterfly starts out as a less-attractive caterpillar, and the caterpillar makes an amazing change! It weaves a cocoon around itself and dies, then breaks out of the cocoon as a new creature, a colourful butterfly, alive and free.

The 40 days of Lent make it clear that the only way for Jesus to get ‘to’ resurrection is ‘through’ suffering and death.

Lent is also the time Lutheran Services launches its Lenten Appeal. The Lenten Appeal asks/invites us to put our hands in our pockets to support Chaplaincy and Ministry to people in hospital and/or our Domestic Violence safe places.

People in hospital and victims of domestic violence are on journeys they most likely do not want to be on. They endure times of uncertainty, and a caring chaplain can make sure they do not walk this journey alone.

On Easter Jesus will burst out of his cocoon. And that is the promise all Christians live by. That is the reason all of us as individuals and collectively as congregations, can care and act.

All of us as people of faith – or simply people of goodwill – can reach out to friends, neighbours and strangers who are dealing with disillusionment and despair. We can befriend the lonely and the forgotten, the injured and the weak, we can feed the homeless and the hungry.

And to support the Lenten Appeal is to assist people be suitably trained and equipped to care for those in hospital, and in our domestic violence safe places.

Donations over $2 are tax deductible. Watch for information in your local congregation, donate at the links above, or transfer money as follows:

Account Name: Lutheran Services
BSB: 084424
Account Number: 668567293
Please insert ‘Lenten Appeal’ and your surname as a reference and email finance@lutheranservices.org.au to obtain a receipt.

God bless the Gift and the Giver!

Rev Dr Russell Briese, Director, Chaplaincy and Ministry Development, Lutheran Services