How
do Christians observe Lent?
Ash
Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent in Western Christendom. However
in some Eastern churches, Lent actually begins on the Monday prior to
Ash Wednesday.
In
the Western churches, ashes from burnt palm leaves, usually mixed
with oil, are placed on the forehead of worshippers to remind them of
their mortality. In biblical times, ashes combined with sackcloth
were worn by God’s people to express their repentance of sins
before God. However, in some Eastern churches, ashes are not used on
Ash Wednesday.
The
colour for Lent is purple in the Western churches. In some Eastern
churches the colour is red. In both Eastern and Western churches,
purple and red are penitential colours.
At
first, Lent was 36 days, a tenth, a tithe of our 365 day year.
However, at about the end of the seventh century, Lent was extended
to 40 days (not counting the Sundays), and has remained the same
since then. There is something magical about the number 40. The flood
in the days of Noah lasted 40 days. Israel wandered in the wilderness
for 40 years. Jesus fasted for 40 days and was tempted by the devil.
The
word Lent may have Anglo-Saxon origins, meaning to lengthen, as in
referring to the longer days in the season of spring. Over the
centuries, Christians have developed several traditions to assist
them in their preparation for the celebration of Easter Sunday, and
the resurrection of Jesus. Here are a few of them:
Preaching,
reading, studying, praying, and focussing on the New Testament
Passion Narratives, which highlight the last days of Jesus’
earthly ministry; along with his journey to Jerusalem, his arrest,
trial, sentence, crucifixion, suffering and death.
Worship
Services that communicate a more reflective, sombre mood by omitting
(in some denominations liturgically burying) the singing or saying
of hallelujah and alleluia; as well as singing hymns with tunes in
the minor key, which are often inspired by and based on the Passion
Narratives. In Lutheran tradition, it has been (perhaps more so in
previous generations than today) common to listen to J.S. Bach’s
Passion of St Matthew and Passion of St John during the Lenten
season. Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Palm-Passion Sunday, and
Good Friday Worship Services are especially designed to engage
worshippers in acts of sincere confession and repentance of sin—both
personal and collective; remembering with humility our mortality and
hence our utter dependence on God; and the desire to journey with
Jesus in the way of the cross.
The
practice of giving something up in a sacrificial way for Lent in
order to be in solidarity with Christ and the world’s poor. In our
part of the world, that might include no television, no movies, or
no Internet during Lent. The operative principle for giving
something up in a sacrificial way during Lent is that it needs to be
sacrificial; i.e. something that you value and takes up much of your
time, energy and resources. For example, it is pointless to give up
chocolate for Lent if you do not eat chocolate.
The
practice of taking something extra on for Lent. For example, you may
wish to spend extra time in prayer, meditation or study. Many
churches offer their parishioners special mid-week Lenten Worship
Services or Study opportunities or social justice projects that
connect us with the world’s poor through benevolent organisations
like Canadian Lutheran World Relief <www.clwr.org>.
The
Lenten season has inspired poets, musicians and
artists
alike down through the ages. Here is the first of 21 stanzas,
(divided up into 7 parts to coincide with the Good Friday Tenebrae
Service on the 7 last words of Jesus on the cross) one of my
favourites, by the nineteenth century hymn writer, Thomas B.
Pollock: “Jesus in thy dying woes, even while thy life-blood
flows, craving pardon for thy foes: Hear us holy Jesus.” One of my
favourite works of art is Salvador Dali’s 1951 painting, “Christ
of St John of the Cross.
Whatever
you do to observe Lent, may you find meaning and purpose in it to
enrich, inspire and deepen you in your faith journey. I invite
readers of this post to make a comment and share how you observe
Lent. A blessed Lent to you.
