By Father
Donald Maddux, Interim Priest
Saint Barnabas
Episcopal Church
March 2007
Many Christian
people and denominations are currently observing a forty day season (exclusive
of Sundays) of preparation for Easter, known as Lent. The name has origins in Old English, and refers to the
lengthening of the days in spring.
A clearer name is used by Spanish speaking Christians who refer to
Cuaresma, the forty days.
Early
Christian communities originated a season of preparation for Baptism prior to
The Feast of The Resurrection, or Easter. About the same time a need arose in
regard to Christians who had
fallen away from the church in times of persecution, and wished to come back to
Christian practice. The present
forty day season of Lent was a time of teaching new converts and also preparing
the lapsed to be forgiven and returned to their places.
Today
Christians of different denominations use Lent in several ways. Some people fast and abstain from food,
drink or various activities. (I
have always found it a good season to abstain from boring committee
meetings!) Others get more serious
about church attendance, giving rise to special midweek services in some
places. Others set themselves a
course of reading or study for the season, and yet others take on extra giving
and good works.
However Lent
is observed, the basic idea is to grow in our relationship with God and our
fellow beings. The gospels say that Jesus retreated into the desert for forty
days to fast and pray before setting out on his active ministry. Very few of us in today's world have forty days to take
away from our regular obligations, let alone the courage to try and spend it in
a desert place in fasting and prayer.
For those of
us who are serious about our spiritual lives, but not endowed with extra days
to devote to spiritual practice, what should we be doing to get something out
of this season?
Everyday
Christianity is very practical. We
can start our Lenten growth in ways that bring a measurable result. We believe that God created us to enjoy
life; and to bring joy to the lives of others. To begin activities or disciplines which build good mental, spiritual
or physical health for our selves or others is good sound religion. Those who give up eating rich foods
which are contributing to weight problems, or drinking alcohol or using other
drugs which bring addiction, face a spiritual battle. Their resolve is not
superficial, but part of a life expanding challenge which brings spiritual growth. The same matrix can fit other health
measures like exercise, which are hard to stay with, but are important for our
wholeness.
All of us have
some time which can be better used for spiritual and intellectual growth. Time spent on the ferry can yield a
space for reading and prayer. The
odd times when we are driving, or awake at night can be filled with
intercession and meditation. Very
few of us has a desert or forty days to visit it, yet each day is a gift from
God and by using the little corners of the day to reach out to God and others,
we can grow in grace and in health (wholeness.)
Be sure to
participate in as much of the Holy Week and Easter worship and activity at your
church, or a church in your area.
You will find that it all means much more to you because you have made
an attempt to make room for God in these days of preparation.