Lent Is On

I always, always get psyched about Lent – Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday (what other time of the year do these mid-week days get such attention), the beauty of those solemn services and hymns, the whole concept of sacrifice and love. It truly is my favorite season. And though I’m not Catholic, I have always observed Lent in my own, not very accurate way.

It began when I was a young kid, fourth or fifth grade. I went through a two-week confirmation class at the Methodist church. The culmination of my short catechism was joining the church during Lent – shiny new bible, white dress, powder-pink bead necklace, corsage. It was magical. It was also my first foray into giving up something for Lent.

The ritual of Lent observations intrigued me. I had always been ritualistic (or perhaps more obsessive than ritualistic) about prayers, freaking out about God’s possible vengeance if I left a loved-one off the list at night. If my kindly old pastor had been aware of my twisted, ten-year-old theology, he would have certainly set me straight in the gentlest way possible, but I never mentioned it.
I chose something sweet, which became my yearly ritual that eventually turned into a fasting from all dessert-type items.

But this year, in the spirit of following through, I am going to try a different approach – a season of gratitude. This practice (http://www.christianitytoday.com/workplace/articles/issue17-gratitude.html) was passed down to the congregation I’m part of today – a Mennonite congregation – so I won’t be alone. That’s reassuring. When I do these things alone I typically either don’t follow through or become a bit obsessive and bitter. By the end of a typical Lenten season, I am usually pretty envious of people who are enjoying a Hershey bar, but I get a strange, haughty satisfaction out of completing the fast. Not at all helpful when trying to get close to God by sacrificing.

Another appealing part of this practice is that there is some discipline involved. Since I’m trying to be more disciplined these days, a daily practice is right on.

And there is legitimate fasting involved. One day a week, there’s a fast from food. I have fasted in the past, but my attitude was pretty shoddy. I would get to the end of the day all bitter, tired, and pouty. I suffered and missed the whole point of it. With my new 35-year-old attitude, I’m thinking it could be much better. So I will try to remain prayerful, avoid the scour, read some Bible and Gandhi, and make life pleasant for my family during the fasting day.

There is also prayer for the poor and a gratitude journal, activities leading to something – gratitude – rather than away from something – that Ritter Sport bar with hazelnuts.


So the Lent journey has begun. Happy fasting folks!