The Season of Lent

            For many people, the only thing they know about Lent is that you’re supposed to give something up.  However, how many actually know why one might do this and what it is supposed to accomplish?

            The season of Lent is all about strengthening our faith, renewing our spirit and growing in love.  It is about spending time in the wilderness with Jesus, relying on God for all that is needed.  It is about stripping away the habits and obsessions that get in our way, in order to make space for God.  It is about journeying with Jesus to the cross, reminding ourselves of how Jesus gave himself in love for our sake.

            Prayer, fasting and works of love are often identified as the discipline of Lent (preceded by repentance).  In other words, these are things that we might pay more attention to during this holy season in order to align ourselves with God’s purpose for us through Jesus.  It is an opportunity for renewal, and some of the following suggestions might be helpful:

            Giving something up is not for the purpose of whining to others about what you can’t have during Lent.

            Consider giving something up that might benefit others.

            Consider giving something up that would make more space for God in your life.

            Consider beginning a new habit that is good not only for yourself but for others, and that might even continue after Lent is over.

            Keep in mind that fasting can take many different forms!

            Consider spending more time in prayer and worship during Lent.  This is at least part of the reason that we gather on both Wednesdays and Sundays during this season.

            Consider being more outward looking in your prayers, focusing on the many needs in the world around us.

            Think about ways that you might give of yourself for the well-being of others.

            Consider choosing a ministry to support during Lent that is over and above your regular offerings.

            Consider foregoing some of your usual purchases in order to give that money for the benefit of others.

            Consider giving some of your time for others.

            Consider allowing yourself to be hungry as Jesus was hungry.

            Consider using some of the Lenten devotions that are available online (e.g. through Lutherans Connect).

            And, especially if you are busy all the time, running from one thing to the next, consider taking time to breathe and to be aware of the presence of the Holy Spirit.

            A reflection from Byzantine Vespers:

The Lord my Creator took me as dust from the earth, and formed me into a living being,

Breathing into me the breath of life.

God honoured me,

Setting me as ruler upon earth over all things visible, and made me companion of the angels.

But Satan the deceiver,

Using the serpent as instrument,

Enticed me by food—

Parted me from the glory of God,

And gave me over to the earth and to the lowest depths of the earth.

But in compassion, O Saviour, call me back again!  Amen.

                        In Christ,

                        Pastor Lynne Hutchison