Thinking about LENT

February 24, 2009

With the celebration of Ash Wednesday tomorrow, our church will enter into the season of Lent.  What is Lent about?  What is the meaning of Lent?  These were questions our youth discussed during a recent Sunday night lesson.  Some of these thoughts were new to me, so I thought they might be interesting to some of you.

The name Lent simply comes from a word meaning “spring.”  When asked to think about Lent, the youth mentioned fasting, soup dinners, sorrow, sadness and prayer as characteristics of this season in our church calendar.  Most of us pick up the general idea of Lent that “it starts with Ash Wednesday, it ends with Easter and we’re supposed to give up something in between.”

When I dug a bit deeper into the purpose of observing this season of the church calendar, I learned that Lent is not so much a time of penitence and sorrow as it is a time of self-examination.  For most of us, when we take a good look at ourselves we aren’t pleased with what we find.  There could be many reasons for this, but the main reason is our sinful nature.  An awareness of our sin can lead us to sadness and then through Christ to repentance.

Many recognize Lent as a time of refrain or self-denial.  Perhaps you’ve already heard the question, “What are you giving up this year for Lent?”  If this sort of practice of purging excess from our lives or seeking simplicity can serve as a catalyst for spiritual growth, then we’re on the right track.  If, however, this kind of fasting is the central focus of your observance of Lent and not a tool to bring you back to our God who can truly satisfy, then you’ve missed the point.

The season of Lent can be a reminder of our need for disciplines in our spiritual lives.  The practices of Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving are highlighted during this season.  These practices should encourage us to embrace the reality of Baptism.  Having been baptized we have hope that, in spite of the sin at work in this world, God is still in control and will continue to be with us.

How will you observe Lent? 

(Include a comment about your own observance, if you like.  Don’t share because you’re proud of yourself, but as an encouragement to others and maybe a friend will ask you and hold you accountable.)

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