This is the first Wednesday of Lent.
Originally, Lent was a time of preparation for Christians who wanted to be baptized. It was a also a time when believers who had been separated from the Church could prepare to rejoin.
Today, Lent is a period of anticipation for Easter - lasting 40 days, not counting Sundays. The number 40 is connected to many Biblical events, but especially with the 40 days Jesus was fasting in the wilderness prior to his earthly ministry. Christians have developed a tradition of abstaining from something (as a fast) and adding a spiritual practice (as a discipline) during Lent. For many, it's a time of introspection, reflection, and repentance.
Here's my confession: I've always ignored it.
My reasoning came from this passage in the 2nd chapter of Paul's letter to the Colossians:
Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ . . . If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations — “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” . . . —according to human precepts and teachings? These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.
I didn't consider how Paul often fasted and prayed, not to obey any tradition, but to seek God. He wasn't against abstaining: he just didn't want us to labor under it as a requirement for entering heaven. If he were here today, I think he would urge me to follow what I sense God is encouraging me to do -- for my personal growth.
I've been a follower of Christ for over 30 years. Now for the first time, Lent seems appropriate, as a period for me to set aside something I normally do and add something I need to do -- as a way of worship and deliberate discipleship.
It's not a law. God doesn't require it. But it may help me.
Would you like to join me in celebrating Lent?
If so, consider one thing to set aside and one spiritual practice to add. It can be very simple - a prayer at lunch, reading a psalm a day, setting aside an hour of TV, or letting go of a particular food. In doing this, you are symbolically laying aside your own life and taking up the life of Jesus.
Each Wednesday, I'll publish a Lenten post here and you can link up by leaving a comment. I'll add your link beneath my post. You can write your Lenten posts on any day of the week that works for you. Just leave a comment with your link, so I know to add it to the list below.
This week's topic: What do you think about Lent? Have you ever participated in it? How do you feel about giving up something or doing something new for 40 days? Have you ever tried it?
14 comments:
I am in a similar boat to you in that I did not feel obligated to do it, but now am at a place where I want to do it. (even better I think) Great openness in sharing and perspective. :O)
I'vew not participated in Lent before. But you've given me some food for thought. Hmmmm.
I used to hate Lent; I totally dreaded it as a kid. I associated it with punishment, as I was usually asked to give up something pleasurable (dessert or chocolate were often my picks).
I've since had a turn-around in my thinking in recent years. Now I approach it as a period of quiet reflection. I try to do something that will slow down my life, so that I can turn a closer focus to God. Last year I gave up social media. I still wrote my own blog, but I didn't visit any others, or leave comments, tweet or facebook. It was really hard at first -- and then it became quite liberating!
This year I am giving up multitasking, for mostly the same reasons: so that I can live in the moment and focus more closely on God.
Thanks for your honest post, Cassandra...and for including a link to my place!
Definitely "adding and subtracting" something this year.
I agree with you that Lent has lost it's luster -- especially in my present state of consumption. I'm all about "more" and not about "less."
I don't do Lent.
Instead, I believe our life should be a sacrifice, a way of self-denial for Him, year round.
But I do like your thoughts.
Excellent post, Cass.
I felt a tug when I read Glynn's poem this morning, because, as I think you know, I was not baptized until age 50; so, for me, I came to my Episcopal faith out of deep desire and the symbols are weighted with meaning.
I love Lent. I really do. This year I am undertaking a new spiritual practice rather than giving something up. I'm so self-disciplined that, unfortunately, I can breeze through six weeks without God being involved. But starting something--well, that takes the Holy Spirit (in my life).
I really identify with your post. I am writing a series for lent at my blog. Here is today's entry which seems relevant and you may add it to your links if you wish.
http://mistysmornings.blogspot.com/2011/03/ashes-ashes-we-all-fall-down.html
I experienced my first-ever Ash Wednesday service. I'll be publishing about it momentarily.
Thanks for this great round-up!
40 days seems like a really long time. We'll see. I'm trying to give over sorrows. Not give them up, just give them over as a kind of offering and prayer.
Thanks for visiting my first post. I didn't even know you were doing this. :)
Cassandra -- What a great list. I am so glad to have found some of these posts. I was trying to assemble a few links like this on my blog, but I was not as well connected as you. I'm going to visit all of these great bloggers on my own Lenten journey... and thanks for your story, too. Lent is an observance I am growing into.
Playing catch up here. I haven't observed Lent until recent years. You've pulled together some great thoughts and posts. Of course, I've come to expect no less than excellence from you. (Which is not about putting pressure on you. Instead, it's about acknowledging how gifted you are.)
I really enjoyed this post. As someone who didn't grow up with the Word, I just recently learned about Lent, and was feeling a bit confused about whether I should follow it. Your writing echos my feeling that I didn't know how to voice to friends who asked me to join them in fasting. I think I will do something, but not as a response to rules. :)
Thanks,
T
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