Terry’s Take… What is Lent About, Anyway?
Sometimes I get asked, “What is Lent all about?” That’s when I often go into a lengthy discussion about the church calendar, the liturgical year, etc. I notice the inquirer’s eyes glazing over as they’re shifting from foot to foot and most probably feeling sorry they asked me the question! They often follow up with: “I mean what do you have to give up?” I tell them as a Lutheran, I am not “required” to give up anything. But I often will as sort of a spiritual exercise. Or sometimes I answer that this year I giving up cooked okra. (yuck!)
While Advent is a celebration and a time of great anticipation, Lent is more frequently seen as a time of solemn observance and preparation for the celebration of the death and resurrection of Jesus at Easter. From its start on Ash Wednesday until its conclusion on Easter Sunday, Lent has been a traditional time for fasting or giving something up or abstinence. Just as we carefully prepare for events in our personal lives, as a wedding, birthday, or commencement, Lent invites us to make our minds and hearts ready for remembering Jesus’ life, death and resurrection.
Because Lent follows the liturgical calendar, the exact date that Lent falls each year changes. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, which is always held 46 days (40 fasting days and 6 Sundays) before Easter.
While as Lutherans we are not mandated to give up anything, many of us still do. I haven’t decided what I’m abstaining from this year. Usually I make that decision a week before Ash Wednesday . If you want some ideas, how about giving up a ‘luxury’ such as chocolate or alcohol? It is also becoming increasingly common for people to give up other things in order to refocus their faith during this time; such as watching TV, going to the gym…even social media.
If you give up something…or nothing…you can use Lent as a time to study your Bible and get back into the routine of daily reading God’s Word. There are daily devotional readings on line during this time that can be an excellent way to do this. A good one is from Lutheran Hour Ministries: www.lhm.org/lent or www.bible.com/reading-plans/83-lent-for-everyone