For centuries, Christians have paused at this time of year to celebrate a significant season in our faith. It’s a journey from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday. The season of Lent is about reflection, repentance, giving up and taking up. It’s a bit odd and countercultural, but also rich and meaningful.
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Thank you for this message during Lent. One of the things that really gathered together as I was listening is that how we locate our self-image is fundamental to what differentiates a Christian life.
I do wonder about the difference between "comparison" and "competition". Competition is clearly scripted into God's creation, and I would argue it is as large a part of our being as any "God-shaped hole", and a lot of good life experiences come from us acting on this instinct. There is a richness to this distinction which you tend to conflate, and while what you say about the dangers of covetousness are true, I think a real opportunity was missed to ask people to consider for themselves how to navigate this line.