A COURAGOUS LENT
On Ash Wednesday, I said these words as those present were invited to receive the imposition of ashes: “I invite you to observe a holy Lent: by self–examination and repentance; by prayer and fasting; by practicing works of love, justice and mercy; and by reading and reflecting on God's Word.”
Our most ancient church traditions point to the beginning of Lent as a time when the earliest Christians worked hard to turn their lives around and reconnect with God. In some quarters, this has become burdensome and ritualistic. Or – and this is more common now – it has become so oversimplified that Christians could turn a holy season into six weeks of just trying to stay away from your favorite candy bar!
During my time in ministry, I have tried to help congregations reclaim the core of what the Lenten season is about – reconnecting with God at a deep level. This should involve neither ritualistic weeping and gnashing of teeth nor silly gestures about candy bars (although, if avoiding your favorite candy bar for six weeks will really bring you closer to God – by all means, adopt that as your Lenten discipline!). Instead, I challenge you to move through Lent in a more courageous way – with “courageous” defined by you and your circumstances in life.
Do a thorough self-examination: What is the one thing in your life which pulls you away from living as the beloved child of God that you are? Why not try tackling that for six weeks and see where you’ve come out on Easter Sunday? Broaden the possibilities beyond just “giving something up” for Lent. What about repairing a broken relationship in your life? What about seeking to understand thoroughly a great social issue that causes hurt feelings and ill will? What about seeking treatment for substance abuse? What about exploring the wide variety of forms of prayer?
There is no question in my mind that if we seek to do such things in this season, we will only do it through self-examination and repentance, prayer and fasting, practicing works of love, justice and mercy and reading and reflecting on scripture. And if we do so, with God’s help, and with the help of our brothers and sisters in this family of faith, resurrection will have a new meaning for all of us come Easter Sunday.
Peace,
Dr. Don Wallick
