It’s Ash Wednesday! This marks the start of Lent, a time of reflection and preparation for christians as they prepare for Easter by observing a period of fasting, repentance, moderation and spiritual discipline. For some this may mean attending a church service where lightly rub the sign of the cross with ashes onto the foreheads of worshipers. The 40 days of Lent (not including Sundays) represent the 40 days/nights that Jesus spent in the wilderness.
The question “what are you giving up for Lent” is much asked at this time. Traditionally this is a period of fasting. In my experience not all christians are used to, or practised at, going without food for any particular length of time, especially not six weeks! These days, alongside personal efforts at abstinence, we are encouraged to donate to food-banks which is a great way to offer practical support to those who would otherwise go hungry.
Personally I feel drawn to going without aspects of First-World life that become a distraction. As an IT consultant I can’t realistically stop using computers and smart phones etc. However I can go without Facebook! This is not done lightly, for as someone noted, without Facebook how will I know when it starts snowing or what other people have for their tea? Mmmm.
Hence (a return to) this blog. Should I find that I am inspired to make a comment that isn’t just “like”, then I will reflect and do it here(!).
So, taking up. During Lent christians are also encouraged to do other stuff: Lent courses (short, light-weight study on the season), voluntary work, making a bit more noise on the issues that you believe are important (but normally don’t like to talk about too loudly), go for a walk or enjoy your garden or pets more, or maybe spend more quality time with other people. Maybe these things are a challenge. Surely that’s the point. Sacrifice is an odd concept in this age. How often to we deliberately place ourselves in places and situations we wouldn’t normally choose?
Ok so I may well do more of these things at church or on my own (there’s an app for that). However, as someone who anticipates a little more solitude during times of refection such as Lent, I will find more of a challenge in activities that take me out of my “comfort zone”. This is good thing! Being uncomfortable for a little while may help to focus ones mind on the needs of others and the love and grace of God.
So as Ignatius of Loyola wrote in 1556,
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Teach us, good Lord, to serve you as you deserve; to give and not to count the cost; to fight and not to heed the wounds; to toil and not to seek for rest; to labour and not to seek for any reward, save that of knowing that we do your will. Amen. |
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