LENT

What is Lent? (excerpts from the ELCA website - click here to go to the actual pageLent is a 40-day liturgical season that begins on Ash Wednesday and concludes at the Great Vigil of Easter.  Sundays are not included in the 40-day count because every Sunday is a joyful celebration of Jesus' resurrection.  Though not biblical, Lent has long been a tradition in the Christian Church, and it is thought that the tradition of the 40 days recalls the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness, fasting and being tempted by Satan (Matthew 4:1-11).  Lent is considered a time of penance and discipline.)

Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent.  On this day, Christians focus on their complete sinfulness and the necessity of Christ's suffering and death to insure their salvation.  Ashes are referred to many times in the Old Testament as signs of sorrow, mourning, humility, and repentance, and on Ash Wednesday they are used to remind people of their mortality --  that "you are dust, and to dust you shall return" (Genesis 3:19).  Many churches use ashes during Ash Wednesday worship in a ritual called the Imposition of Ashes. In this custom, ashes are mixed with a small amount of oil and applied to the forehead of each worshipper.

The Sunday of the Passion or Palm Sunday begins the last week of Lent, known as Holy Week.  During this holiest time of the church year, the worship services relive the final week of our Lord's human life.  Holy Week includes Maundy Thursday, when Christians observe Christ's "Last Supper" -- the institution of the Sacrament of Holy Communion -- and the mandate to serve one another in love.  Good Friday commemorates the imprisonment, trial and death by crucifixion of Jesus.

Lent culminates on Saturday evening of Holy Week in the Great Vigil of Easter, when Christians gather in darkness, light new fire, and celebrate the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies in the resurrection of Christ.

Lenten Disciplines

Introduction
Mark Hanson, Bishop of the ELCA, wrote in the February Lutheran about four spiritual disciplines for Lent.  Consider adopting those disciplines for your own Lenten journey.

Martin Luther advises us to daily die to sin for renewal of our lives.  Each morning pray for guidance, asking God to keep you from sin and every evil.  Each evening ask for forgiveness for the wrongs that you have done and the rights that were left undone. 

Attend the Ash Wednesday service of Holy Communion and Imposition of Ashes.  Be present weekly for Thursday Lenten services and Sunday Holy Communion.  Participate in the special services of Holy Week

In your daily devotions reflect on Psalm 51 and Psalm 103.

In addition to asking for forgiveness, ask God to help you show love and kindness to all, even your enemies or those you find difficult to love.

Thank God every day for his many blessings.  These may include wealth (by global standards, we are all wealthy), health, bountiful food and clothing, friends and family, church family, jobs and education, pleasurable activities and relaxation , peace, love and many more.  Remember that all you have is a gift from God.

Pray for the sick, the dying, the grieved, the imprisoned, the mentally ill, the oppressed; those with addictions, those who struggle with personal or family problems, those who are lonely, the hungry and the homeless; world peace, world leaders and governments; others who struggle in any way.

Personalize your prayer. Lift up your children by name.  Pray for your Pastor.  Ask God's blessings for a particular ministry of the church such as Logos or Small Groups.

Pray for yourself, thanking God for your blessings and asking Him for what you need.

This is a discipline that some find strange while some do the routine "giving up chocolate" for Lent.  Other ways to fast include skipping a meal once a week; having a simple brown bag lunch instead of eating out; omitting dessert or a snack.

The fast becomes meaningful, rather than dutiful, when you take the money you saved by fasting and give it to World Hunger, or the time you saved to volunteer at a soup kitchen.  Remember, Jesus fasted for 40 days.

There are countless organizations that depend on volunteers.  Call the local United Way for more information about volunteer opportunties in your community.

Contribute to the life or your church family.  Join a committee or small group.  Sign-up for the Service Bank or Altar Guild.  Assist with worship by singing in choir or serving as usher or worship assistant.  Attend a Bible study.  Work with youth or the elderly.  Assist with the food pantry or Harvest Cafe.  If you don't know how to plug in, talk with Pastor or a council member.

There are many simple ways in a course of a daily life to show kindness.  A smile and friendly greeting to the clerk in the supermarket or the person at the tollbooth will bring joy to both of you.  Open a door for the mother with a baby in arms or elderly person with a cane.  Drop off a bag of groceries to someone in need.  Send a card to encourage or cheer a friend or acquaintance.

One of the nicest things you can do is to let someone know that you are grateful for them and appreciate them.

Suggestion:  Each day after morning prayer, plan one work of love for that day.  That's 40 works of love during the 40 days of Lent  And that doesn't include the spontaneous, unplanned opportunities that will come your way!

May your Lenten journey be meaningful as you follow Jesus to the cross.


Works of Love
Fasting
Prayer
Repentence