We’ve arrived at the season of Lent, that period of the church year during which people figure we’re supposed to feel miserable. Mardi Gras – “Fat Tuesday” in French – was a time of joy and revelry – and pigging out. This stands in stark contrast to the observance that began Ash Wednesday. Now the fun stops; at least that’s the popular understanding. But is it true?
But the word “Lent” originally meant “springtime,” not misery.
Lent has changed a lot through the centuries. The early church celebrated Lent only for a few days before Easter. Across time, the length of the season grew until it was several weeks long. In the seventh century, the church set the period of Lent at forty days (excluding Sundays) in order to remind people of the duration of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness.
The Lenten observance began as a time of purification and preparation. In the early church, baptism was only performed on Easter Sunday – so, an entire year’s worth of converts to the faith would be baptized and brought into the church that one day. Lent was the time before Easter when these converts would fast and pray, preparing themselves to be members of Christ’s church.
As the years went by, the church began to baptize and confirm people on days other than Easter Sunday. Lent was no longer a time of preparation for these events, but it remained a special time of prayer and fasting.
After the Reformation, the discipline of fasting became unpopular (and it never regained much popularity). As a way of preserving Lent as a time of self-sacrifice, the church leaders encouraged people to give up something they enjoyed during Lent.
I don’t like to view Lent as a negative season, but to keep in the spirit of giving things up, the following are some suggestions (some inspired by Rev. C. Gates):
Give up grumbling! Instead, in everything give thanks. Constructive criticism is OK, but moaning, groaning and complaining are not fruit of the spirit.
Give up 10 to 15 minutes in bed! Instead, use that time in prayer, Bible study and personal devotion.
Give up looking at other people’s worst points. Instead concentrate on their best points. We all have faults. It’s a lot easier to have people overlook our shortcomings when we overlook theirs first.
Give up speaking unkindly. Instead, let your speech be generous and understanding. It costs so little to say something kind and uplifting. Why not check that sharp tongue at the door?
Give up your hatred of anyone or anything! Instead, learn the discipline of love. Love covers a multitude of sins.
Give up your worries and anxieties! Instead, trust God with them. Anxiety is spending emotional energy on something we can do nothing about: like tomorrow! Live today and let God’s grace be sufficient.
Give up TV one night a week! Instead, visit some lonely or sick person. There are those who are isolated by illness, ability or age. Why isolate yourself in front of the “tube?”
Give someone a precious gift, your time!
Give up buying some luxuries for yourself! Instead, give the money to God. The money you would spend on the luxuries could help someone meet basic needs. We’re called to be stewards of God’s riches, not consumers.
Give up judging by appearances and by the standard of the world! Instead, learn to give yourself up to God. Try to see people through eyes of love and grace.
Lent is still the church season in which we prepare for Easter Sunday. It’s a time to remember the temptation, the suffering and the sacrifice of Jesus. It’s a special time of prayer and reflection, of confession and self-sacrifice. Most of all, it’s a time to ready ourselves for the sheer joy of Easter morning – resurrection power is available to everyone!
By the way, you are invited to Holy Week services at MCC:
April 1, Palm Sunday.
April 4, Prayer Service of “Letting Go and Letting God.”
April 6, Good Friday.
April 8, Easter Sunday.
Rev. Dan Koeshall is the Senior Pastor at The Metropolitan Community Church (The Met) in San Diego, California, themetchurch.org.
