For centuries, Christians have marked the 40 days before Easter with what are called the “Lenten disciplines;” such as, fasting from indulgent food, carving out time for reflection & prayer, and intentionally caring for the neighbor. The purpose of which is not to make the self suffer along with Christ – the popular understanding of Lent – as Christ doesn’t need our suffering! Lent is indeed a more somber, reflective season, but the purpose always goes back to our baptismal identity as forgiven sinners.
The origins of Lent grow out of this wellspring of forgiveness. Lent was originally a time of preparation for catechumens (adults who would soon be baptized) before their Baptism at the Easter Vigil.
The Lenten disciplines of fasting, Word, prayer, and alms-giving help us to mark the time leading up to Easter in a way that re-shapes us in Christ’s image in a counter-cultural way.
You might consider how to set aside time this Lent to be shaped by Christ’s forgiveness into which you were washed and claimed. Here are some possibilities:
- refrain from overly indulgent foods so that at Easter you might once again, thankfully taste how wondrously delightful they really are
- dwell more regularly in the Word and prayer. A couple of possibilities:
- sign up to be a prayer partner (sheet in foyer or email pastor stmatthew@stmatthew-lutheran.org)
- “Christ in Season” which is based on Sunday readings (in foyer year-round)
- “There in God’s Garden” a Lenten_Devotional by Luther Seminary (in foyer or click on blue link)
- make more regular use of the Means of Grace – Word, Bath, Meal – by which the Holy Spirit renews and gives faith