An Introduction to Lent

A few years ago my friend Kathleen offered this concise introduction to the season of Lent:

The word “Lent” is derived from an Anglo-Saxon word meaning “to lengthen” and refers to a season when the days become longer, ie, spring. Most liturgical traditions refer to this period as “forty days” (not counting Sundays) beginning with Ash Wednesday and ending the Saturday before Easter Sunday. It became a forty-day period during the seventh century to coincide with the forty days spent by Christ in the desert. Historically Lent was a time of preparation and instruction for new Christians as they prepared for their baptism and welcome into the body of Christ on Easter Sunday. Lenten spirituality is rooted in repentance and conversion, the putting off of the old life and the putting on of the new. To assist us in this pilgrimage Lent calls us to fast, pray and give alms (serve others).

With no obligation, pressure or guilt required you may choose to form a practice during the Lent season. Acknowledging most of us are Lent neophytes, let the word “practice” give you grace to experiment with a different rhythm for a few weeks. As a starting point, you may consider the three practices of fasting, prayer and serving.

FASTING is the practice of abstaining from something (often something good) to show our dependence on things to make us happy. My sister used to give up bread for Lent which is admittedly hard core. Some give up or cut down on TV by replacing it with a good book or abstain from deserts or snacks or beer. Not having the commitment of my sister, I fast from things that “soften and sweeten” (I’m writing this sipping my black coffee!) just to have something daily to practice and to get in touch with my dependence on how luxurious my life really is. It is not the big sacrifice I may do one day, but it helps me spiritually and personally and that is the point.

PRAYER, in many ways, is natural. We find ourselves praying in moments of crisis or relief, when we hear bad news or good. Perhaps during Lent we become a little more intentional and “practice” prayer. So, rather than “finding” ourselves praying, we create spaces to pray. My wife lights a candle to create space and remind her to pray for a friend in need. Intentional prayer is not so natural for me. I often need to attach prayer to something else. I carry a “prayer rock” in my pocket and when it touches my hand I pray for who comes to my mind. Some pray every time they see an ambulance or when they watch the news. The real godly might pray for those who cut them off in traffic (I’m not there yet). Perhaps this Lent we can discover our natural prayer rhythms.

ALMS GIVING is the practice of offering something good to someone who needs it. We certainly have no lack of opportunities to give of our time, talent and treasure. This may create a different kind of problem for us. Overwhelmed by our choices and shamed by our abundance we may not give much at all or give without much thought. The season of Lent might be a time to focus our serving. "Are there people in need that I sense a calling to help in a more involved way?" Or, we might simply practice the spiritual discipline of availability with our friends and neighbors, extending a conversation when they need to talk or saying yes to a dinner invitation. These are true acts of service.

Two final thoughts for Lent: the first is to fight off discouragement and see Lent as a helpful path for spiritual and personal growth,

Lent is often called a journey. That means that at the end of Lent we should expect to find
ourselves somewhere different from where we started.
(The Lent Sourcebook, Archdiocese of Chicago)

The second may help us from getting lost in the practices and miss the heart of the One for whom Lent is practiced,

May our fasting be hunger for justice;
our alms, a making of peace;
our prayer, the chant of humble and grateful hearts.
(Celtic Household Blessing)

May Jesus reveal Himself to this season.