Let us make lent different this year. Rather than only committing to giving up something for a few weeks, let us commit to doing somethings that will bring about real change, not only for ourselves, but for others as well, especially those who can’t bring about those changes themselves. And if it means that we have to let our anger show, then so be it – there’s a time to be angry.

Cross-bearing is not a penalty that is imposed upon us, or something unavoidable that we must face. Cross bearing is an act of love that we freely choose. It is a task that we undertake, and a price that we pay, out of love.

For Jesus it meant going to a cross to die because He loved us. For us it means reaching out with love to others, even when that love is not returned.

The voice of God is that voice that calls us to look beyond ourselves to the needs of others. It is that voice that calls us unto love and service, to show care and compassion; that prompts us to reach out to others with kindness, to be a comforting presence, to stand alongside our fellow men and women.

For black people, the struggle for justice and equality has been generational, and while progress has been made, the struggle continues. It has been and continues to be exhausting, but we don’t have the luxury of giving up.

It takes courage to speak the truth, and even greater courage to speak truth to power.

…he is saying: This is us. This is us - you and me in relationship. This is us; facing life’s pains together, and embracing life’s possibilities together.

And while New Year’s Day reminds us to reset out routines and refocus our lives, let us not forget that the miracles of new seasons and new healings and new beginnings are possible 365 days a year.