Lent for dummies

Some have asked, "Why do we have to give things up for Lent?" The quick and easy answer is you don't. (Please note: if you have not given anything up for Lent or you are of the determined persuasion that giving things up for Lent is stupid, you may consider stopping here and reading no further.) The less easy and far more helpful answer is that you don't have to give things up for Lent, but why wouldn't you?

Lent is that season of corporate preparation where the Church recognizes all of the noise, excess and soul-numbing comforts of this world that regularly get in the way of Her hearing Him, loving Him, and serving Him. We take on certain disciplines during Lent, giving things up or placing new things into practice so that our hearts are more receptive to the words and the will of the Holy Spirit. There should be no hint of legalism in our Lenten devotions.

It is important to keep in mind, we're not trying to earn or purchase anything through this season with our self-imposed discipline or acts of mercy. Everything worth having has already been earned for us on the Cross. Everything our souls long for has been purchased by the blood of Jesus... forgiveness, freedom and new life in Christ. It is finished! Even during Lent! We're simply recognizing our need to embrace and live out this forgiveness, freedom and new life in Christ with greater regularity, consistency and power.

So, is this what it means to keep a holy Lent? You will remember, unless you have forgotten, that on Ash Wednesday, just prior to receiving the imposition of ashes on our foreheads, we were invited to the observance of a holy Lent, "by self examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God's holy Word." But, this Top Seven in the List of Lenten Favorites is the means and not the end. Lent is never defined by what we do, but only understood by what the Lord is doing in and through us. This season is about pressing in, making time, shaking things up, and hearing His voice. So, a Holy Lent is less about us keeping to our promises and more about watching Him keep His. Stepping into some of these disciplines, as the Lord directs, can open our hearts and minds to see and receive from Him in life-transforming ways.

Please send any questions you may have about Lent to info@allsaintspawleys.org. 

See you Sunday,

Rob