March 2009
Welcome to the 40 day spiritual journey called Lent.
Every year the question arises from someone, “What is Lent ?” Lent began as a time of preparation for new members and those seeking to return to the church after being away. At first it was just the time from Good Friday until Easter Sunday Morning. It later grew to be the 40 days before Easter beginning with Ash Wednesday. Most importantly it should be seen as a time of reconciliation to God and the Church.
When we are reconciled in a relationship, we put aside the things that have kept us apart. It may be something hurtful, or an attitude we have carried. It may be a misunderstanding or an unforgiven debt. Normally an act of apology and forgiveness must occur before we are brought back into a positive relationship. Often reconciliation requires that one or both parties give up some sort of attitude or opinion about the other.
Several Lenten traditions may help us in our own acts of reconciliation. First are the ashes on Ash Wednesday. The ashes are a sign of grief, a sign of repentance (change of attitude), and a sign that we are mortal. “From dust you were formed and to dust you will return.” In the bigger scene of things, you and I are only here for a moment, we die and decay back into the earth from which Adam and Eve were formed. We are not as important as we think we are. The ashes bring us back into touch with this. From a more practical and obvious view, we all have dirt marks on us. Not one of us can proclaim to be perfectly clean.
The second tradition is one my Catholic friends talk about a lot. It is “giving up something for Lent.” Usually it is something like chocolate or meat or cigarettes. The sacrifice often makes no tangible difference to the world. If you are going to give up something, and if we are in a season of reconciliation, then it seems we should really give up something that separates us from God and from other human beings.
This is not an easy decision. First we need to confess that we are alienated and need reconciliation. Second we need to confess things that get in the way of having a healthy relationship. Finally we need to act on it; humbly acting to overcome our divisions and seeking reconciliation. All of these need God’s power to accomplish. They require time of prayer, courage, and self examination. Don’t rashly pick something to give up this year. Spend the season reflecting on these questions. Then with God’s help, act and seek reconciliation.
As we journey toward full reconciliation with one another and then with God, may God bless you and may you be able to “Give it up to God.”
Pastor Dave Repenning
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