How do you keep Lent? The season of Lent lasts for 40 days, excluding Sundays, representing the time that Jesus spentin the wilderness. Lent is a season of repentance, self-examination and reflection as we prepare for Easter.
The season of Lent is kept in our worship services in a variety of ways. Parts of the liturgy, like the Alleluia, are excluded. The order for confession and forgiveness is used more frequently. The colour is purple. Hymns and readings reflect Lenten themes.
But Lent is not only meant to be kept on Sunday mornings, or by congregations. Lent is meant to be kept, to be observed, by each one of us.
Often people give something up for Lent, as a nod towards the tradition of fasting. But I often hear people talking of giving up things like waterskiing (in a Canadian winter) or something else that they don’t do. Or give up chocolate, but it lapses quickly like many a new year’s resolution.
Many of our Lenten practices end up being lip service, a token nod to the keeping of Lent.
The prophet Joel reminds us to rend our hearts and not our clothing. (Joel 2:13a) This refers to the practice of tearing or rending one’s clothing as a sign of repentance. Joel is reminding us that God wants a change for us that is more than a scratchingof the surface, one that affects the heart.
How might you keep Lent in a way that involves your heart and helps you to focus on your relationship with God and reflect on how you are living out your baptismal calling to follow Jesus?
• Why not take on something extra for Lent? Take on daily devotions. Take on daily Bible reading. Take on giving extra money to charity. Take on daily journaling reflecting on how you see God active in your life.
• If you choose to give something up, make sure it is something that will help you in self-reflection. If you do give up chocolate and experience a craving, use it as a time to think about the suffering of Jesus in Holy Week or about the way that God loves you.
• If there is a cause you are passionate about, why not make that the focus for keeping Lent? If you are passionate about reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples in Canada why not do some extra reading, or write to your elected representatives, or look for an event to attend? But in doing those things, think of how God is calling you and supporting you in your work for justice.
As for me, this Lent I am going to take on a reading of daily devotions. (One to consider is the following offered by Lutherans Connect: lclivingourfaith.blogspot.com.
And because I care very much about God’s creation and the harm it is receiving, I’m going to give up single-use plastic and be mindful of my use of water. Each time I make a choice to turn down plastic or turn off the tap I’m going to give thanks to God for the gift of creation.
God bless you as you keep a holy Lent.
National Bishop Susan Johnson
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada
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