Is there a 'right way' to do Lent?
Lent is the season in the Christian year that lasts about 40 days, starting on Ash Wednesday and leading up to Holy Week and Easter.
Is there a 'right way' to do Lent?
Is there a 'right way' to do Lent?
Politicians have been known to justify decisions or actions with the words, 'it was the right thing to do'. It often seems to be said in an attempt to close down discussion as if there is nothing more to be said. One has to ask, 'the right thing in whose eyes and on what ethical basis?' When people say it's the right thing to do they often mean it's the right thing for me or my group or the right thing in my/our opinion. And there's often an implication that any other thing to do is the wrong thing. Wrong for which people or situation?
Is there a 'right way' to do Lent?
Is there a 'right way' to do Lent?
The traditional way is to focus on prayer, fasting and giving, using the 40 days of Lent as a way to prepare for Easter, the most important Christian festival. Is there a 'right way' to pray, fast and give? No, there are so many good ways to do all these things. But, there can be wrong ways. For example, Jesus taught his disciples that when they pray, fast or give, they should not do it in order to be seen by others and be rewarded by their admiration. (See Matthew 6: 1 - 21)
Is there a right way to do Lent?
Is there a right way to do Lent?
What do you think? What ways have you found helpful? Or unhelpful? Is it worth bothering?
Image Credit: jezobeljones on Flickr, CC License
I suspect that for many secular people, Lent is just a word, or sometimes a way of joining in with giving up a personal dependency, a little like the New Year resolutions so many make, and fail to keep.
ReplyDeleteI recall my Catholic childhood, when Lent was portrayed as a time of repentance and cleansing, and now as an Anglican, I come back, time and again to the words lf Psalm 51. Which, in the language of the King James version speaks straight into my heart, mind and spirit. I can't think of a better way to spend lent, than reflecting on the words, particularly of Verses 2 and 3.
If we wish to spend Lent in the closet, cutting ourselves off from social media and others, than we are missing the point, we are surrendering our witness to the Gifts of Lent and our bearing witness to what it actually points too - that huge sacrifice that Jesus made on our behalf - and I don't believe that we should waste that opportunity.
Lent is a time of reflective presence in our communities, marked by the Ashes of Ash Wednesday, enduring for the whole period of Lent, and to bring to Easter, ourselves, cleansed and ready to celebrate the victory over death and the eternal life promised to us with Jesus in the renewed Kingdom of God.
Thanks for commenting 'UK Viewer'. I think if Lent helps those you describe as 'secular people' as a time to give up "a personal dependency" e.g. to unhealthy food and drink choices, then that can be a good thing. I also see Lent as a time of repentance, not only of personal sin but thinking too of our collective human failures e.g. to care for creation or build bridges rather than walls. I find it helpful to find ways of seeking spiritual renewal and refreshment during this time, not only by doing what people might see as religious things, but looking more to the things that refresh me (e.g. art, music, poetry) and bring refreshment to others.
DeleteThank you Nancy. My lent will be dominated to some extent by completing the final two modules of my LLM training. Public Worship and Chaplaincy, which will include a placement in a local Shopping Centre alongside the Kent Mission Trust, who provide volunteer Chaplaincy services to a wide range of local commercial outlets.
ReplyDeleteAs a parish, we are running campaigns and a Pilgrim course hoping to meet people where they are. And we have seen this work bear fruit locally, alongside other initiatives, reaching out to those who are on the fringes. So much needed and so little support available. People who feel cut off from services or isolated. I am privileged to be part of this, so I anticipate that I might need some time out for the refreshment that you speak off. Luckily, my duties in the parish are not too onerous as we are fortunate to have three Clergy here. Vicar, Curate and Retired Priest. It makes a difference to what we can do, and can offer in terms of services and outreach.
My hope for Lent is that our outreach will bring more people into contact with the good news of Jesus and that their lives might be made better for that contact and knowledge.
The local shopping centre placement sounds interesting. Hope your church's outreach will bring more people into contact with the good news of Jesus and be a blessing to others.
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