Beginning the Lenten journey…

Posted on February 17, 2010 by elizabeth

Ashes For me, fasting is a vital spiritual practice. It reminds me in a particularly physical way that I am not merely flesh. I am spirit and soul. 

In many ways, fasting is my teacher. It reveals the emotional attachments I have to food. Abstaining from my favorite foods re-calibrates my palate. I find that I can be content with simple fare. 

Yes, it's uncomfortable. But that's the point, really. It's an opportunity to identify myself in some small measure with the sufferings of Christ.

In Evangelical is Not Enough, Thomas Howard explains Lent as "a time of penitence. Here we identify ourselves with the Lord's fast and ordeal in the wilderness, which He bore for us…the gospel teaches us that Christians are more than mere followers of Christ. We are His Body and are drawn, somehow, into His own sufferings."

I think it's important to note that fasting is not a means by which we accrue merit with God. It is simply a means by which we move, with other Christians, through a season of self-examination and prayer.

Last year I heard someone describe Lent as a three-legged stool. The stool is supported by three practices: prayer, fasting and alms-giving. 

Prayer and fasting should turn our focus outward. I've discovered that prayer and fasting free me to pay closer attention to the needs of others. 

This year, my Lenten fast is primarily about food. Ever since the twins were born I've been pretty undisciplined about my eating habits.

I am an emotional eater. I soothe myself with food. I eat when I'm happy, I eat when I'm sad. I eat in celebration, I eat in despair. I was raised to be a very disciplined eater which is probably why I don't have a significant weight problem. However, I've let myself slide.

But I'm not going to be harsh with myself. This Lent I'm fasting by eating in a structured, mindful way. I'm also giving up my favorite cookies (oh, dear, precious Mint Milanos!) and my favorite wine (pinot noir).

I'm expectant to see what this season of fasting teaches me.

Do you observe Lent? What does it mean to you?
 What does it teach you? 

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  • http://MeditativeMeanderings.blogspot.com Susanne Barrett

    I just presented a talk on Lent at a Bible study at our evangelical church (EV Free), and it opened up some wonderful discussions. I am passionate about Lent, and my enthusiasm seemed to encourage the women there. Our pastor is very anti-Lent because he saw its abuses growing up as an MK in Paraguay — women who “gave up” housework and physical relations with their spouses in the name of Christianity, and the husbands then were very resistant to the Gospel as a result. But he’s “throwing out the baby with the bathwater,” insisting that Lent is the way he saw it and no other way. He allowed me to speak at the Bible study, but did not allow us to invite other Bible studies to join us.

    I see Lent as a vital part of my spiritual journey, and I pray that he might find it to be a useful tool himself.

    I’m not saying publically what I’m fasting from (food is a small part), but I pray I can return to my Rule of Life for this year, promoting health in my spiritual, physical, and mental/emotional life.

    I’ll be attending Vespers and the Imposition of Ashes at an Anglican Church tonight. :)

    Wishing all a holy Lent, set apart for Him, the Lover of our Souls,

    Susanne :)

  • http://kevinmartineau.blogspot.com Kevin M.

    I don’t celebrate Lent. I wasn’t brought in a church that did. It’s something that I have thought about celebrating but I struggle with it when I hear about the binges have after their “fast” (whatever it was0. That’s my two cents anyway. :)

  • http://myvocations.blogspot.com Erin Phillips

    I do. I am a CC, but have really come back home these past couple years… especially this one. For Lent I’m not “giving up” anything specific- I am adhering to the Fasting rules that predate Vatican II- one standard meal and two small “snacks” (that do not add up to a full meal)daily… and the last 21 days of Lent, I will be doing a Daniel (type) fast… I am also giving the “Alms Giving” part of Lent my full attention… a fellow member of our Council of Catholic Women shared that she will be performing Random Acts of Kindness. And not keeping track of them either. Just taking something that would make me comfortable, and giving that comfort to someone else.

  • http://makeway4ducklings.blogspot.com Ashley

    I am coming back to practicing Lent this year after several years of not. Growing up, Lent was nothing more than a contest to see who could give up the most…I never received much education about it. In college, I moved away from Lutheran liturgy and what I called ‘doctrine’ and went to a less structured, more touchy-feely relationship-based church. I’ve come back to liturgy though, (and I’m married to a Presbyterian minister). I’ve approached Lent with some trepidation – I know it’s a significant, important thing, but I feel almost as though I might ‘do it wrong’ so to speak. I’ve missed the boat the past 25 years, really, and I am looking forward to learning about and experiencing Lent ‘for real’ this year.

  • Monica

    What helped me learn the why’s of Lent growing up was my Grandma’s insistence that we not just give up, we give more. That Jesus didn’t fast just as something to do, but to discipline his body so he could do more (all that led up to his crucifixion). So if we gave up Coke, the money we saved went to buy food for the soup kitchen. If we gave up TV, the time must be spent helping others or in prayer. This year, due to health issues, I cannot fast from food, but I’m doing more. I’m exercising every day, regardless of weather or sickness (Though I might do less those days) And the far point of my usual walk is the soup kitchen I will be working in 3 days a week. I feel better about what I do when I can see the benefits of my sacrifices in a very concrete way.

  • http://www.nickandemilystrittmatter.blogspot.com Emily

    I love the Lenten season…I always have! Growing up Catholic, with many many friends who were not, I was subjected to lots of criticism about fasting and the purpose of Lent (gotta love highschool), so I suppose my fierce defense of Its purpose created a great sense of devotion.

    Having a brand-spanking-new-baby during the winter months puts a serious damper on my church going ability…so I am trying to make the most of this season by reading my bible everyday (something I havent’ done since college) and also no texting while driving (something very literal and concrete…and also safe!). I do like the idea of random acts of kindness…so I might add that one to my list!

  • http://notfinishedyet.wordpress.com Emily

    I see Lent as time to focus on how much we need a Savior. In our church, we are reminded, especially on Ash Wednesday, of how sinful we are, and during the rest of Lent, we are reminded of how much Jesus suffered to pay for our sins. So, Lent is a real call to repentance.

    When the pastor puts ashes on my forehead at the Ash Wednesday service and says, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return,” it’s a visceral reminder that I am sinful and that I, too, will die because of my sins.

    However, the beauty of Ash Wednesday and all of Lent is that in realizing how sin-filled we are, we realize our deep and desperate need for a Savior. And Jesus IS that Savior. During Lent, as we follow the events of the Passion history that lead him on his path to the cross, we see the lengths Jesus went to to be that Savior for us. And even as I am reminded of the wretched sinner that I am, I am vastly comforted by the Savior Christ is. So, I see Lent as a time to focus on what God has done for us, rather than focusing on what we do for him.

    I wrote a post about Ash Wednesday on my blog here: http://notfinishedyet.wordpress.com/2010/02/17/ash-wednesday-reflections-2/

    God bless your Lenten observance, EE!

    ~ Emily