Lent is a forty day period
leading up to Holy Week and the celebration of Jesus’ Resurrection on Easter
Sunday and the fifty-day period called Eastertide. This year it begins on
Wednesday, February 13, with the celebration of Ash Wednesday, and concludes
during Holy Week prior to Easter Sunday, on March 31. Lent is a season of
repentance, spiritual exercise, and self-denial. Lent is a preparation for
Easter. That’s true. However, Lent is more than just a warm-up to the big day.
Historically, Lent has been a period of spiritual growth and development for
Christians.
There are many customs and
traditions associated with Lent that can be observed by individuals, couples,
and families. There is a tendency by many Christians to limit Lent to “giving
something up” or “taking something on.” Self-denial is an important part of
Lent so you should give something up. Taking on new spiritual practices is also
an important part of Lent and something you do too. However, Lent is about more
than just cutting back on bad things and adding more good things to your life.
Lent is a period of time where we more intentionally focus on God. It’s a time
to push away other concerns and focus more intentionally on our spirituality
and our relationship to Jesus Christ. Think of Lent as a spiritual marathon.
During Lent we raise the intensity of our spiritual practice. The hope is that
by God’s grace (because you will never do all you want to do for Lent without
grace) you will become a more dedicated disciple of Jesus Christ or to say it
different, you will become more fully human as God intended.
Today, and certainly no
later than this week, take time out by yourself, with a friend, or with your
family to plan for Lent. Think of planning now as a deposit on an investment,
an investment that will profit in transformed lives as you and yours observe
this ancient and powerful season of the Christian year. In order for this to happen we have to
prepare ourselves for Lent.
Here are some resources to
help you get started.
Feel free in the comments
section to share your own resources, ideas, and plans for Lent this year.
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