Lent

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, 22nd February

What do we do when we’re facing an upcoming big event, celebration, or special occasion in our lives? We prepare for it. Holy Week and Easter are “big events” in the liturgical year of the Church and in the spiritual life of a Christian. So, as Christians, we prepare spiritually for these through the forty days of Lent. 

As Christians we are encouraged to give up something for Lent; chocolate, coffee, that extra helping of dinner, one less hour of Kinect or watching DVDs—whatever it is, you can make what you’re giving up for Lent a prayer as well: a prayer-in-action. Whenever you encounter the thing you are abstaining from or the time of day that you would normally enjoy it, take a moment to say a prayer in recognition of your wholeness in God even without the thing you have given up. Thank God for the freedom to be wholly yourself without this and, at the same time, acknowledge the gift of its existence in the world.

Have you ever thought of Lent as a yearly second chance? Each year the Church gives us six weeks to take a long, loving look at our lives to see if our values and priorities are in line with God’s desires for us. Since most of us find that we’ve wandered from God’s path, Lent becomes that second chance, or do-over, to “return to God with our whole heart.”

Perhaps the best advice is to use Lent as a time to instill prayer habits that will last long after Lent has concluded. So enjoy your Lenten prayer. And don’t think you have to do all the above. Perhaps choose one or two prayer methods to concentrate on, and then you can more fully experience the pilgrim journey toward Easter that is Lent.

Invite family members or friends to share their thoughts, hopes, and desires for Lent. Decide to support one another in whatever you choose to do. As you journey through this annual second chance, remember that each step brings you closer to the welcoming arms of our loving God.

Reverend Stephanie