Lent

Lent, A Springtime Opportunity

Lent prepares us for Easter, to encounter the risen Lord. It's a time to reflect on our relationship with Christ, to examine our lives under the gaze of a loving yet holy God. In the early Church, it was a time when converts to Christ were taught the faith in preparation for baptism at the Easter Vigil. As it was for them, so it is for us, that Lent is for self-examination and repentance, through prayer, fasting, self-denial, alms-giving and by meditating on the Scriptures.

Lent consists of the forty days between Ash Wednesday and Easter Day, excluding the Sundays in Lent, which are celebrations of the Resurrection. By observing Lent, Christians imitate Jesus' withdrawal into the wilderness for a time of spiritual formation and testing. As Jesus was taken into the desert by the Spirit, may our Lent, too, be guided by God the Holy Spirit.

Shrove Tuesday, the last day before Lent, is marked by a final communal meal, often a pancake supper, before the restraint of Lent begins the next day.

Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. This is a day when churches have one or more services of Holy Eucharist, often including the Imposition of Ashes. The ashes, with which the Celebrant makes the sign of the cross on a person's forehead, remind us of our mortality and of our penitence. In this service the celebrant invites the Church to "keep a holy Lent" as we seek to know and follow ever more closely a holy God.

This Lenten opportunity for self-examination, repentance, and spiritual nurture is formed by a focus on our Lord, and inspired by the work of the Holy Spirit. Our souls will be restored, our commitment deepened, our service broadened, and the Church will be strengthened. And with great joy we will worship the risen Lord on Easter Day!

1. Reflect on your life, and consider it in light of God's ways. The joy of repentance is aiming your life according to God's direction. "Giving up" something for Lent, be it a food or a drink or an activity, can help to remind you keeping "a holy Lent."

2. Read and meditate on the Bible, and pray. Take one of the Gospels and get to know it really well, by reading it several times during Lent. Attending Lenten programmes and taking time personally for refection is most helpful.

3. Midweek services are good opportunities for prayer, reflection and worship as part of Lenten observances.

4. Read a good book that deals with spiritual matters. Some good authors are Henri Nouwen, C.S. Lewis, Eugene Peterson, Tom Wright, Michael Marshall and William Willimon.

5. Give a special offering over and above regular support of the church. This is often sent to work overseas or for some clear need in the community.

Last but not least, take in as much as possible of Holy Week, that last week of Lent, that holiest of times in the church year. Enter into it with heartfelt anticipation of the great celebrations of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ on Easter Eve and Easter Day.