What are you 'giving up'?

A teen in my confirmation class told me she decided to give up meat for Lent.  Every day.  No meat.  She is serious enough that although very hungry, when the only free samples being offered at the store were meat choices, she refrained.  I was pretty impressed at her faithfulness.

"Giving up" something for Lent is called fasting.  Most of us with some  history in the liturgical branch of the Christian Church are aware of the ancient practice of fasting, especially during the season of Lent.  Fasting became ritualized in the practice of meatless Wednesdays and Fridays through the Roman Catholic tradition (although there were Episcopalians and Lutherans who probably followed the practice as well because of their RC roots).  Other Christian traditions also fast, but do not associate it with a particular time of the year.

Fasting is the decision to refrain from ......generally it is eating.....something like meat.  Something that will be missed.  Something you are tempted to eat in spite of your good intentions.  Therefore, chocolate and beer have often been choices for a Lenten fast.  However, just recently, I heard the story of a man who told his pastor that he had decided that, for Lent, he was giving up hating the current president.  Instead he was going to 'add' something this Lent: he would pray for him and our country daily.  I will be interested to hear how these 40 days of Lenten prayer practice will change him.

Spiritual practices such as ashes or fasting, almsgiving (generous care of the needy), prayer and others are intended to help us re-center our lives in God and God's promises through Jesus.  For some, daily scripture reading is the key beginning point of each day.  For others, daily prayer is critical to their spiritual grounding.  It doesn't make one more holy; rather it focuses one on the holy and strengthens the connection with the Divine.

The 40 days of the season of Lent prove to be an excellent time for re-centering......just long enough to truly experience the benefits of a spiritual discipline, and not so long that one is discouraged before starting.  Don't worry if a day or two passes and you've forgotten your new practice - just start again.

But, here's the key: this is not like a countdown to your birthday.  This is not just something you mark off each day while giving yourself a gold star.  Rather, this is a time for listening for God and watching for God at work....in your life and in the world around us.

So, whether you 'give up' something.......or you decide to 'add on' something, Lent is an opportunity to renew and deepen your faith life.

How can I help you get started?