Wednesday 5 March 2014

Ash Wednesday

Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent.  A time to remember our mortality, and look to God as our Refuge and Strength.  Today I learned of the death of a cousin of my parents' generation - one of the few remaining.  What better reminder of our mortality than that?

Many people 'give up' something for Lent, usually something considered a luxury, or perhaps even sinful.  I grew up in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, so I knew that only Roman Catholics gave up things for Lent 'because they had to.'  Luther had liberated us from that sort of requirement, so other than attending an extra worship in the middle of the week, Lent for us wasn't much different from any other time.

Then in my 20s a Pastor suggested that people 'take on' something for Lent - some extra charity or piety - rather than see Lent as a time of deprivation, see it as a time of extra service in the Name of Christ.  But whether Lent is a time to give up or take on, I find myself stuck in that 'I don't have to do anything' mode, even when I think I might want to do something more.

My son fasts during Lent - not totally, but in a moderate way to remind him of the time of penitence.  I tried that once and found it unsatisfying as a discipline for Lent.  I'd like to say that my 'normal' life is so filled with piety that I have no need for anything extra during Lent, but too many people know that is not quite true.

This year part of Lent for me is outlining the course I will teach in the Lay Academy, but I have to say that is pretty much coincidence, not conscious piety.  Even Luther knew that while he encouraged continuation of some parts of medieval piety, that without the requirement few people would do them.  So in that sense I am thoroughly Lutheran.

With the psalmist I ask:
What shall I render to the Lord
for all his benefits toward me?
And for me, the answer is also the same as the psalmist's
I will offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving,
and will call upon the name of the Lord.
I will pay my vows to the Lord
now in the presence of all his people,
in the courts of the Lord’s house. [Ps. 116]

During Lent, I continue to be faithful and rely on God's Grace as I participate in worship twice a week [actually, twice more than I usually do, so 4 times a week].  The appointed texts and the changes in the liturgy seem to suffice to see me through my lenten journey.  Maybe a blog post or two, as well.

I sometimes wish that I could be more pious in my lenten discipline, but I also know that each person must find their way.  May you find a way through Lent that is meaningful to you.  The glory of Easter only come through the Cross.