Beauty for Ashes: The Beginning of Lent
Today marks Ash Wednesday – traditionally known as the beginning of Lent. All around the world, many Christians will commemorate the start of the Lenten season by heading to church to “receive ashes” – usually in the shape of a cross on their forehead. And contrary to what some Christians may think, the observance of Lent is not just a Catholic practice, but something that the Church has formally practiced since 325 AD.
WHAT IS LENT?
Lent is the Christian season of preparation before Easter. The Lenten season is marked by a period of 40 days (not including Sundays) where followers of Jesus observe a period of fasting, moderation, self-denial and spiritual discipline. During these six weeks, Christians who observe Lent typically make a commitment to fast or “give up” something: a habit (such as watching Netflix, social media, smoking), or a food or drink (such as meat, sweets, coffee, alcohol). In place of these things, Christians also take on a Lenten disciplinesuch as reading the Bible or committing themselves to early morning prayer to draw nearer to God. The goal of these spiritual disciplines is to strengthen the faith of the observer and develop a closer relationship with God.
WHAT SHOULD I FAST OR "GIVE UP" FOR LENT?
Because there are so many different ways that we can approach the season of Lent, here are a few helpful questions to help you prayerfully consider what you might choose to fast for Lent.
What is something that takes up a lot of your personal time/energy? (e.g. social media, news, fantasy sports, video games, Netflix/Hulu, etc.)
What is something that you regularly spend money on? (e.g. daily morning latte at Starbucks or favorite coffee shop, shopping, eating out, etc.)
What is something that gives you a great sense of delight or joy? (e.g. your favorite food/drink/sweets, traveling/trips, etc.)
What is a bad habit or vice that you should abstain from? (e.g. smoking, gambling, etc.)
Please prayerfully reflect upon these questions and the let the Spirit of God lead you in what to “offer up” to God during the Lenten season.
WHY LENT? AND WHY FAST?
While fasting is an essential part of how we observe the Lenten season, we need to remember that Lent is not simply about giving up sweets or media for 40 days. At its core, Lent is about giving our hearts more fully to Jesus. The reason why we choose to abstain, put aside, or fast from a particular thing is to free ourselves from anything that hinders us from the love of God. We choose to set aside our earthly delights and pleasures in order that we can rediscover greater joy and fulfillment in Christ. We choose to fast and abstain from things that have overtaken our hearts as far as our affection, time, and devotion is concerned – so that we create more space in our hearts for Jesus. At the heart of Lent, is the experience of repentance - where our hearts turn away from the very things that hinder love and returns to Jesus.
"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart
and with all your soul and with all your mind.
This is the great and first commandment."
Matthew 22:37-38
A LITURGY FOR LENT:
So we enter into the season of Lent, here's a little liturgy for you to read/recite as you kick off your Lenten journey. We also wanted to share a worship song that captures the heart and spirit of Lent called "Have My Heart" by Maverick City. May both the liturgy and the song encourage as you journey with Christ through the season of Lent.
Father of love, of mercy
and empowering grace,
whose ear is toward us,
and whose heart ever open;
Pour out your mercy
like oil over us all.
For our numbness and blindness
to the soul-sickness we harbour
and for our reluctance to bring it
to you wholly and without reserve;
Pour out your mercy
like oil over us all.
For where we’ve said “Christ”
but not kept holy the name
and forgotten the nature of
the Father who enwraps us;
Pour out your mercy
like oil over us all.
And so that we may have
all that you’ve promised us,
in the power of your Spirit,
and the life of your Son;
Pour out your mercy
like oil over us all,
as you have, as you do,
and as we trust you will.
Amen.
(Used with permission from Strahan Coleman of @commoners_communion).
