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A Holy Lent

© Michael P. Spencer

I confess, like many others I once dreaded Lent. As a child Lent meant I had to give up something I really liked for 40 days (except Sundays). I usually picked something I could never give up, and I would feel miserable about it. Jesus, I thought, was disappointed in me. After all, didn't he give his life for mine? Couldn't I even give up candy for six weeks for him? What terrible guilt for a child to carry. I see Lent a little differently now.

In the Anglican tradition, Lent is a time for repentance, purification, and preparation for the miracle of Easter. In the Ash Wednesday liturgy, the priest imposes ashes on the foreheads of the congregation with the words, "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return." It is a humble time, the focus being the pending Passion and Resurrection of Jesus, a dreadful and awe-inspiring series of events.

One year, Lent was illuminated for me as a time of introspection and examination. A time to "take stock" of the progress of my spiritual journey with God and a chance to try new things. I began to see Lent as an experimental stage. Ever since, I have looked forward to Lent. In past years during Lent I have tried new meditation exercises, new churches, new prayer schedules, and even new diets (though that last one, again, never seems to work!).

A good, short explanation of Lent can be found at What is Lent? I now believe that Lent is one of the holiest seasons of the Christian liturgical year. We are invited to observe a holy Lent, in whatever fashion we choose. The priest at the Ash Wednesday service this year described Lent as the time to cut away the vines that grow over your window and occlude your connection with God. My Lenten discipline this year has an evening theme because I often find myself unable to accomplish tasks I schedule for evenings. I hope this Lent will help me balance my daily chores with evening spiritual pursuits. This Lent I have settled on reducing television to one hour per evening, nightly Evening Prayer, and a brisk evening walk at 9:00pm.

I welcome your thoughts about Lent and your personal Lenten discipline.

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