Ask the Pastor: Lent beginnings, extra innings, "tongues" and sinning
by the Rev. Walter Snyder
Religion Columnist
     All Christian life is a celebration of Christ's victorious Resurrection on Easter morning. The
Church has traditionally prepared for this, the greatest Feast of our Lord through the season of Lent.
     From ancient times, Ash Wednesday has marked the first day of Lent. There are forty days
from Ash Wednesday until Easter. Sundays are not counted because the Sundays in Lent are not fast
days; rather, each is a celebration of the Resurrection. The forty days of Lent are reminiscent of Our
Lord's forty days and Israel's forty years in the wilderness, as well as His forty hours in the tomb. The
Gospel readings of Lent focus on the temptation and trials that Christ underwent on his way to his
suffering and crucifixion.
     Many people observe Lent by Fasting. This can take place in many ways: Physically, we may
deny ourselves various foods and pleasures; liturgically, we may omit parts of the Divine Liturgy, such
as Alleluias and songs of praise. The Fast increases in depth and seriousness as we move from Ash
Wednesday to Holy Week. During the Sundays following Ash Wednesday, we follow our Savior as
he puts himself "in harm's way" and prepares for his passion and death. As we continue through the
Church Calendar, it is then during Holy Week that we fully focus on his suffering and death.
     Q: Jesus is acclaimed after touchdowns, home runs, and other accomplishments in
athletics. Athletes pray in huddled groups and in various fellowships. Is God interested in these
contests? Does He determine the victor? For what do (or should) athletes pray?
     A: While public testimony of Christian faith is part of the Christian life, religious exhibitionism
is countered by Christ's command to not make a public spectacle of prayer. At the same time, he
warns against praying for wrong reasons or toward the wrong goal, as we read in Matthew 6:1 15.
     The content of prayers heard by and pleasing to God is summed up in these verses, which
includes what we call the Lord's Prayer or Our Father. Spiritual blessings predominate in this prayer
given by Jesus to his church. "Daily bread" sums up our physical blessings, including, as the Lutheran
Small Catechism states, "everything that has to do with the support and needs of the body, such as
food, drink, clothing, shoes, house, home, land, animals, money, goods, a devout husband or wife,
devout children, devout workers, devout and faithful rulers, good government, good weather, peace,
health, self-control, good reputation, good friends, faithful neighbors, and the like."
     This is all part of the life of the athlete, just as it is for each of us. Not all receive all these
blessings, nor each in the same measure. Yet none of these speak of contests of strength or
skill although athletic contests may be how one is allowed to receive daily bread. However, aside
from asking to perform to the best of one's ability, I do not think that God "takes sides" in such
competitions, unless another reason may also be involved, and athletes who so ask may not be
engaged in meaningful prayer.
     What do I mean by this? I don't think that God favors the team with the most Christians or
the individual who calls most passionately on the Lord for special strength, skill, or success. Yet if it
serves his purposes of either judgment or of bringing one to the faith or leads to more fervent belief,
then God may decide to take a hand.
     Q: What is your view on speaking in tongues? A friend basically told me that I can't go
to Heaven because I don't have the gift of the Holy Ghost since I don't speak in tongues.
     A: Your friend is wrong. Belief in Jesus Christ saves. Unbelief damns.
     To Ask the Pastor, please write Ask the Pastor, PO Box 12, Emma, MO, 65327 or send
email to askthepastor@aol.com. I look forward to hearing from you.
     Walter Snyder is the pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Emma, Missouri and coauthor of
the book "What Do Lutherans Believe."