What
is Lent?
Lent
is the 40 day period of fasting and prayer in which Christians
prepare themselves to celebrate the Resurrection of Christ (Easter).
Roughly, it is a tithe (10%) of our year to God. In 2010 Lent
begins on Ash Wednesday, February 17th. The forty days are reminiscent
of our Lord’s forty day fast in the wilderness, at which
time he was tempted for us by Satan and triumphed. (Luke 4)
If
you are counting the forty days on a calendar, you must omit the
Sundays. Sundays are always said to be in Lent, but not of Lent.
Sundays are always a reminder of Christ’s triumph over death
and grave. Sundays are not days of fasting, but a “Feast
of Victory for our God.”
Why Ash Wednesday?
Ash Wednesday functions as the traditional start of the season
called Lent. In the Bible sack cloth and ashes are signs of repentance
for sin and turning back to God. Dust and ashes are what we do
outwardly to signify the state of our souls. Dust and ashes are
universal signs of human mortality; they remind us of the GENESIS
account, that man was made from the earth and he must return to
it at the end of his life. (Genesis 2:7, 3:19)
All
mankind suffers the same fate as Adam. The Bible informs us that
“all are sinners and fallen short of God’s glory.”
“None are righteous, no not one.” And so, death comes
to all people because all people sin. (Romans 3:10, 23, 5:15-17)
This
message would seem a little morbid were it not for the fact that
the Gospel presents Jesus as God’s response to our common
condition, our all too human situation. Jesus died on the cross,
deliberately, in order to conquer sin, death and hell (Satan).
Ash Wednesday stands at the beginning of Lent, just as Good Friday
stands at its conclusion, forever reminding us of God’s
love in Jesus Christ.
What
do you do on Ash Wednesday? And, must I wear ashes on my forehead?
Ash Wednesday is observed at Prince of Peace congregationally,
that is with a solemn service that includes: a confession of sins,
the imposition of ashes, the proclamation of the Gospel, and the
Holy Communion (Eucharist). The ashes are placed on our foreheads
with the following words: “Remember that you are dust, and
to dust you shall return.” (Genesis 3:19)
Not
everyone receives ashes. They are a devotional practice which
has meaning for some Christians and not for others. Like the sign
of the cross and fasting, Lutherans make no law regarding the
imposition of ashes. Confession of sin, baptism and the Supper
of Jesus all have imperatives connected with them—the command
of Jesus our Lord. But ashes do not. The reception of ashes is
simply a matter of personal devotion and Christian liberty.
At
the end of the evening we will go home and wash our faces before
retiring. Perhaps that washing is a good time to personally recall
the gift baptism. In baptism we are washed in Christ, incorporated
into his death and resurrection. (Romans 6:5 ff) In baptism we
become a child of God; his sons and daughters; some call this
the new birth. The Bible says, “if anyone is in Christ he
is a new creature, the old is gone and the new has come!”
(2 Corinthians 5:17)
Lenten Practices
Our Lenten practices are personal, physical and spiritual. They
mean to connect us to God and our Savior, Jesus Christ.
• Personal: Faith in Christ is a personal thing. Christians
have the opportunity to confess their sins both privately with
their pastor, and corporately in the general confession. The
things which are shared in private confession are to remain
with your pastor, and they are protected by civil law. Of course
in every day life we acknowledge our faults as we go; especially
confessing them to the ones we have wronged. The Catechism reminds
us that we are to receive the words of Absolution with faith,
believing them as if Christ himself spoke them to us.
• Physical: The ages old practice of fasting builds spiritual
discipline and curbs our human desires. Fasting teaches us the
benefits of delayed gratification. Fasting can teach us how
to say “no” to temptation. Do so brings great personal
joy and freedom.
• Spiritual: Lent is a time when we encourage holy reading
and charity. Your pastor should be able to suggest a good book
to read during Lent. Devotional literature is provided in churches
at this time of year. Certainly, we would encourage a plan of
Bible reading. And by all means use the American Bible Society’s
2010 SCRIPTURE READING GUIDE. (Pick one up at Prince of Peace;
they’re free.)
Other Traditions
During Lent, especially on Sundays and on Good Friday many families
enjoy a treat called Hot Cross Buns. Sunday, a non-fast day, is
the perfect time to share this sweet gift with your family. Most
bakeries and markets have them for sale at this time. You could
find a recipe in cookbook or on the internet if you want to make
your own. Some people make them with currants, others like them
with candied fruit. Serve them warm with a thick sugary icing
in the shape of a cross. Sweet butter adds to the enjoyment.
Mardi
Gras, Fasching, and Carnival, are public celebrations (not necessarily
Christian) held in various cultures to signify the end of self
indulgence, and mark the time of discipline called Lent.
Shrove
Tuesday is the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday on which some people
clean their homes from top to bottom. At this time all hints of
Christmas (if they are still around) are put away. In order to
clean out the pantry, mothers have adopted the custom of serving
pancakes for dinner—a mild form of decadence, to be sure,
but loved by kids all over the world. Serving pancakes for dinner
uses up all the old fats (cooking oils), old flour and sugar and
gives us a chance to start new, filling the pantry with fresh
ingredients.
Lenten
Fasting
Fasting can be done in various ways, either abstaining from food
altogether for a day, or partially, like giving up sweets and
deserts for forty days. One might choose Wednes-days as a day
to go meatless during Lent. The slight discomfort or inconvenience
you experience is meant to send you to prayer. Or, one might forego
all breads during the forty days. The idea is “give up”
(sacrifice) what you enjoy. “What you give up, give away.”
The money you’d spend on the latte, or the doughnuts, or
on the steak, that is what you are to set aside and give to charity.
Conclusions
In the end Christian liberty will determine how strictly you keep
Lent. The traditions which have evolved over the centuries are
meant to help, not hinder, your walk with Christ. It sometimes
happens that misguided people turn traditions into law not mandated
by scripture. For that we had a Reformation.
However,
any tradition that you find helpful, that points us you to Christ
and the Gospel, feel free to adopt and use it to Christ’s
glory and your own benefit.
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