Thoughts on Lent

I don't know about the rest of y'all, but sometimes the whole concept of Lent is confusing to me. I know so many people who use it as a time to give up sweets, or coke, etc. but often cannot articulate why. As we enter Holy Week and the last few days of this church season, I thought I'd share an insert from our bulletin that was very helpful to me. Thanks to our Pastor Wayne Larson for sharing. (Redeemer Presbyterian Church Des Moines)

What Does Lent Mean? 

The name, "Lent" comes from the Middle English word lente (“spring”), which shortens the Anglo-Saxon word lengten, a term used to describe the lengthening of daylight in the spring. In the church, it has come to mean a season of preparation for and anticipation of the crucifixion and resurrection of our Lord. The church season lasts forty days from Ash Wednesday (this year, March 5th) until Easter, not including Sundays. The reason for this is that every Sunday throughout the year is a celebration of the resurrection. That is also why the Sundays that occur during Lent as are properly called Sundays “in Lent” and not “of Lent.” The number 40 was chosen by the early church because of the biblical symbolism of preparatory testing in the examples of Moses, Israel, Elijah, and most significantly, Christ himself. As such, this is the time of the year when the church orders her readings, prayers, and hymns in a way that brings into focus our great sin and deep need for Christ's atoning blood. A period of 40 days also encompasses six Sabbaths making Easter a seventh Sabbath or a "Sabbath" of Sabbaths. 

At the heart of any worthy Lenten observance is a cultivated attitude of repentance. A true repentance means a genuine change in heart and mind, a change of disposition wherever in our lives we need to return to God. That is why true repentance and a true Lent can never be satisfied by mere external observances, no matter how rigorous they are. But repentance is no morbid introspection or “guilt trip” in which we become bound up in ourselves, turned inward to the point of unhealthy despair. Rather, it has to do with God, who is both holy and compassionate. Therefore, Christian repentance always means faith in God, trusting him, responding to his grace. That is why whatever guilt or sorrow we may feel does not crush us. For we know and trust his goodness toward us. 

The color for Lent is purple or violet—a rich color made with the costliest dyes in the ancient world. It appropriately symbolizes deep, heartfelt, and therefore costly repentance. Lent is not merely a time to remember and think about the history of our Lord’s suffering and death, but is intended primarily as an opportunity for intense self-examination and repentance, even fasting (Luke 5:34-35). The high point of Lent is reached on Good Friday, when we remember that our sins crucified Christ. 

For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out… Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! Romans 7:18;24-25

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ - by grace you have been saved. Ephesians 2:4-5

Red Mountain Music's All Things New is my favorite album for this season, and you can download a free sample here. 

How do you cultivate repentance during Lent? I would love to hear different ideas and practices!