THE COLLECT FOR LENT
Almighty and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all them that are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins, and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.
A Sonnet for Lent
by George K. Johnson (1920-2007)
Our baptized Lord was 40 days and nights
In prayer and fasting, moved by Holy Ghost,
To tone his moral muscle for the blights
Of Satan's three temptations. His riposte,
"Get thee behind me, Satan," rang out clear
As he rejected Satan's proffered bribes
With Scripture quotes that Satan fled in fear,
A feat that Luke's fourth chapter well describes.
A personal wilderness of tempting ways
To yield to Satan's lures confronts us each
As we negotiate our testing days
And lurch toward our salvation out of reach.
If stronger wish you were; less sinning bent,
Then tone your moral muscle, too, this Lent.
