Lenting from Home
Natural disasters, political division, and global pandemics are some of the reasons why the season of Lent is so important. For much of the year, and for good reason, the Church focuses on the good news of Jesus, the love of God, and the hope we have in the resurrection. But during Lent, we remind ourselves that the world is full of pain and brokenness. We need space to to acknowledge and wrestle with darkness, to ask hard questions, and to learn to trust God even when there are no easy answers.
Of course this is possible to do all the time, but Lent is the 40-day season (6 weeks) before Easter where this is front and centre. We remember Jesus’s ministry, in particular the end of His life. It’s a somber time as we prepare to come to the cross to remember Jesus’ death once again. It’s through the darkness of the cross that we’re invited to frame our laments, suffering, and pain. And because of this, it can also be a hope-filled time, because we know that the joy of resurrection is just around the corner.
Were it not for the COVID-19 pandemic, we would begin Lent together in-person with an Ash Wednesday service on February 17. But since we can’t do this regularly like we’re used to, I thought I would share some ideas and resources that you can use to shape this season as we remain physically distanced from one another. Feel free to use what’s helpful, and leave what’s not. Join together as a family, or use this time for personal practices. However you do it, open yourself up to the leading of the Holy Spirit in your life. It’s in the mystery of spiritual practices and disciples that God shows up.
To Give Up or to Take On?
Lent is mostly known as a time for giving up indulgences or taking on practices in order to grow closer to God. These practices allow us to focus on what’s most important in life. They remind us of where our strength and life truly comes from. By fasting from something during Lent, we test our dependencies and reconsider our necessities.
This can take many forms for different people. The goal isn’t just to pick something to give up or take on; but to grow closer to God in this time. Some ideas include:
Giving up meat, sweets, or a different kind of food.
Giving up social media, TV, or watching sports.
Giving away possessions or money to help others.
Committing to read your Bible each day. Consider reading all four gospels.
Committing to a set-aside time of prayer.
Committing to a gratitude, prayer, or reflection journal.
Committing to regularly pray with another person or group of people.
Committing to read a book about faith or justice.
And remember, Sundays aren’t part of the 40 day count, so if you want to take a break from your fast on Sundays, you can. Think of the Sundays in Lent as “Little Easters,” building the anticipation for the resurrection.
Ash Wednesday (February 17)
Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. It’s also the day when the Church gathers to remember our human frailty and mortality. On this day, we remember that:
God is the source of all life.
We are not God, and therefore we’re dependent on God for life.
We have come from dust, and to dust we shall return.
Ashes are traditionally used to make the symbol of the cross on our foreheads during an Ash Wednesday service. It’s a visual reminder of this eternal truth - that our bodies will not last in this form forever. We hope in the life that Jesus’s death and resurrection brings. There are many different ways to commemorate this day while not gathering in-person. Some ideas include:
Going on a prayer walk. Notice the contrast in nature between life, death, and new life.
Taking some time to write down some of your laments. These can be personal, societal, or global. Offer them to God by burning the paper into ashes (outside or in a fireplace). Reflect on God’s presence and forgiveness.
Reading through Genesis 1-4. Ask yourself: What is God’s intend for humanity? What does the curse mean for us and this world? Where is the hope in this story?
Taking some time to look through old photo albums. Remember family and friends who have passed away. Reflect on your own life and how you want people to remember you when your time on Earth comes to an end. How might that change how you live?
Spending some time in silence, turning off all distractions to give yourself space to meditate and pray. Try different prayers, like this corpse prayer. Pray it multiple times during the day.
Corpse Prayer
Be not afraid.
I give thanks to God who created all things good.
In Christ, all things hold together.
I am not entitled to life without death.
I embrace sacred life. I embrace sacred death.
I embrace the growing and the crumbling in between.
Amen.
May God grant us peace, comfort, and strength this Lent season. May these practices challenge us and draw you closer to Jesus. May the Holy Spirit stir in us to transform the darkness within our hearts and this world.