Most protestant church members do not pay much attention to Lent. Officially, Lent is the 40 days (not counting Sundays) prior to Easter. Easter was the time when baptisms were done and those intending to be baptized were expected to spend the time in study and prayer in preparation for the big day. It came to be expected that all baptized persons would spend the time in study and prayer in support of those about to be baptized. Over time the study and prayer came to be focused on Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem, the growing opposition he faced, and his suffering and death.
Sometimes Lent has been seen as a time for seeking to be closer to Jesus by not eating (fasting), by not eating meat or other specific foods (partial fast) or by not eating on some days. Going without food came to be extended in some circles to giving up other pleasures that might distract you from thinking about Jesus, dancing, card playing, not singing hymns with “alleluia” in them, or having fun in any form. We all have head the question asked, “What did you give up for Lent?” The thought that you might be giving up something in order to concentrate on what Christ has done for you is implied, not stated.
Some of us have found it helpful to think of Lent as a time to do something new or a time to renew an activity we have been neglecting as a way of responding to Jesus. Many of us deliberately spend more time in prayer during Lent – a few minutes first thing in the morning, or a moment of quiet when the day is almost done, or turning to God for a minute before starting the car. Some of us plan to do some learning- joining a study group or reading a book. All can be good ways of preparing to meet the risen Lord at Easter.
Lent is a good time for remembering that we are still travelling, we have not yet arrived. We travel with Jesus, sometimes in danger and pain, but always knowing that we do not travel alone.
40 days is not a long time – it is more than a month but less than six weeks. The 40 reminds us of the number of days that Jesus spent in the wilderness, the number of days it rained on Noah, the number of years the people spent in the wilderness between Egypt and the promised land. 40 is long enough to do something worthwhile. May the 40 days of Lent be a time of growth and learning for you.
Faithfully,
Art Urie, Bridge Interim Minister