The
Observance of a Holy Lent
(Lent
for Dummies)
As Christians in the tradition of the Episcopal Church, we
are all called, in the name of the Church “to the observance of a holy Lent, by
self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by
reading and meditating on God’s holy Word.”
THINGS EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW about Lent:
·
Lent is a time of spiritual preparation for the
great celebration of Easter.
·
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday (February 13 this
year). It lasts 40 days, not
counting Sundays, and ends on Holy Saturday, the day before Easter.
·
The liturgical color for Lent is purple, a royal
color, signifying Jesus’ reign in the Kingdom of God. Purple has also been called “mitigated black,” signifying
the somber, penitential character of Lent.
AT A MINIMUM, EVERYONE’S OBSERVANCE of Lent should include:
·
Attending corporate worship on Ash Wednesday,
every Sunday in Lent, and every day in Holy Week, especially Maundy Thursday
and Good Friday.
·
Keeping the fasts of Ash Wednesday and Good
Friday (for all who are medically able).
Eat simply, avoiding red meat.
A more rigorous fast avoids all meat. A strict fast permits only juice
and clear liquids until after sundown.
·
The adoption of some intentional Lenten
discipline to help focus awareness on our dependence on God. “Give up” or “take on” something for
Lent.
SOME SUGGESTIONS FOR LENTEN DISCIPLINES.
These suggestions
might be particularly appropriate for children and families.
+ Pray daily.
·
If you are new to daily prayer, try all or part
of the Daily Devotions for Individuals
and Families (Book of Common Prayer, p. 136-140).
·
Pray the Daily Office (Morning and/or Evening
Prayer). Anglicans have been
praying these prayers since the Reformation. They are in the BCP or you can find entire services on-line,
including music (if you wish) and the appropriate Scripture readings for the
day at Mission St. Clare.
·
Pray the Psalms. In the Book of Common Prayer (p. 585) they are labeled so that the entire Psalter can be
prayed in a month: First Day: Morning Prayer, First Day:
Evening Prayer, Second Day: Morning Prayer, etc.
·
Pray using the Daily Collect and Readings for Lent pamphlet available at the
church.
+ Make a
personal, private confession.
(Yes, we do that. Speak to
the priest.)
+ Give up
something or some practice in your life that squanders life’s goodness or
wastes life’s giftedness. Give up
whatever you do to “kill time.”
+ Give up a luxury… dessert, alcohol, “gourmet” coffee, television.
+ Attend the
Lenten study series on Wednesday nights at St. John’s.
+ Participate in Lent Madness, a fun way
to learn about the lives of exemplary Christians. Saints are arranged in a competitive bracket. Read about the saints and vote daily
online at Lent Madness.
+ Use one of many
resources to maintain a daily practice of reflection.
·
Episcopal Relief and Development Lenten Meditations booklets are
available at the church. You may
also subscribe to receive them via e-mail at ERD's website.
·
Join the
Journey Through Lent 2013 posters are available at the church.
·
Renew a
Right Spirit Within Me pamphlets are available at the church. Another daily meditation booklet, these
are from a new Episcopal ministry called Living Compass and focus on spiritual and
physical wholeness and wellness.
+ Spend Lent with
the “Cowley Fathers,” the brothers of the Society of St. John the
Evangelist. The oldest men’s
Anglican monastic community, their American branch is based in Cambridge, Mass. They will be posting daily video
reflections online on pinterest.
+ Keep any of the
fasts described above for Ash Wednesday and Good Friday on all of the Fridays
in Lent.
+ Study Anne
Lamott’s new book Help, Thanks, Wow: The Three Essential Prayers with Bishop
Jeff Lee, Episcopal Bishop of Chicago.
He will be posting his thoughts and reflections on the diocesan blog.
+ Read the Litany
of Penitence (p. 267 in the Book of Common Prayer) daily and identify one (one
is enough) specific sin you have committed in the activities of each day… a particular word said or left unsaid,
an action done of left undone. Avoid
noting vague or general sins. In corporate worship on Sunday, (silently) ask
God’s forgiveness for these specific sins at the time of the General Confession.
+ Read the
General Thanksgiving (p. 836 in the Book of Common Prayer) daily and identify
one (or more if you just can’t stop) specific things you are thankful
for each day. In corporate worship
on Sunday, give thanks to God.
+ Every time you mess up or fail with your
Lenten discipline, put aside a set amount of money and, at the end of
Lent, give it to the church or another organization that does God’s work. Or simply put aside money daily as a
Lenten discipline.
