Lent Day 2 | 40 to Life

Hello Redeemer family, I’m the reverend Grace Rigby. Welcome back to our 40 to Life daily reflections. Today is the second day of Lent. 

Now that we are in March, it’s that time of year again! You know, the time when friends come together to fill out brackets, research the top contenders in the tournament, and see who will make the final four and then go on to win the Golden Halo! Wait…Golden Halo? This isn't March Madness, this is Lent Madness! Lent Madness is a ministry by Forward Movement that involves 32 saints in a single-elimination tournament to determine who will win the Golden Halo. You can see the bracket right here. 

The two saints paired together today are Stephen and Wenceslaus. Saint Stephen is considered the first martyr of Christianity. He was a deacon in the early Christian church who was stoned to death while still proclaiming his faith in Christ. Saint Wenceslaus was the duke of Bohemia and quite popular in the 900’s. He was a strong supporter Christianity right up until his assasiation by his younger brother’s companions. 

There are many reasons why I enjoy Lent Madness. This Lenten practice invites us to explore the lives of the Saints who have gone before us. It encourages us to not only learn more about them, but also consider which one might be our favorite between the two paired together. Why might we like one saint more than another? What does this say about ourselves and our hope for the future? 

When looking at the Saints, we might be surprised by how often their stories are connected to each other. In the case of Stephen and Wenceslaus, our two saints paired today, it is interesting to note that the carol about Wenceslaus titled “Good King Wenceslas” is often sung on the feast day of Saint Stephen. The story of our Saints are woven together – and they are woven into the story of Jesus Christ. 

So, in the season of Lent, I hope you will join me in Lent Madness. You can find the link to fill out your own bracket in the description and I would love to hear in the comments below who y’all think will win the Golden Halo!

The Rev. Grace M. Rigby 

Associate Rector

The Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, Midlothian