March Chimes
Dear Siblings in Christ,
As I write this article, we are just about a week into the season of Lent, which began on Ash Wednesday, and concludes during Holy Week. This time of year, I hear the question again and again: “What are you giving up for Lent?” Or, perhaps a little more gently, “Are you giving anything up for Lent?”
The practice of ‘giving something up’ for Lent comes from one of the traditional practices of the season: fasting. But sometimes it seems as if this ancient practice has become trivialized. Lenten fasts become a second chance at failed New Year’s Resolutions, instead of practices aimed to draw us closer to God. That’s not say that they can’t be good and meaningful, just that we ought to keep the purpose in mind when thinking about them.
Lent is a time to return to the Lord. To assess the ways our lives have gotten out of sync with God’s intention. Prayer, fasting, and almsgiving have been the three traditional practices of Lent that seek to help us do this. I’d like to share what I’ll be doing for each of these practices—not just fasting—for this Lent.
Prayer: An increased attention to one’s prayer life is a frequent practice in Lent. This year, I’ll be using the daily devotionals we’ve made available to the whole congregation, titled “Ask.” There are copies of these available in the narthex. We also have additional services during Lent, on Wednesday evenings at 7:00. Our guest preachers this year will be expanding on the theme of a Lenten Fast.
Fasting: Fasting has always been a part of Lent, and often that has entailed a physical fast from some type of food—or from food on particular days. The intentions of these fasts is always to draw us closer to God’s intentions for us. This year, inspired by one of our members, my goal is to fast from criticizing (others and myself). Other Lents, I’ve tried to fast from things like single-use plastics, mindless scrolling, and making purchases outside of food or other necessities.
Almsgiving: Also known as charity, special attention is paid to giving to those in need during Lent, in part because of Jesus’ particular concern for the poor and outcast. Is there a worthy cause or organization that you could make a donation to this month? Or, if that’s not possible, maybe a group that needs your time and energy?
However you observe Lent—whether it’s through one or more of these practices, or something else entirely—I pray you have a blessed and holy season. May we be drawn in by God’s never-ceasing love, nourished in our faith, and (re-)shaped as God’s hands and feet in the world.
In Christ,
Pastor Laura
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