During the childrens' time on Sunday I asked the kids if they were giving up anything for Lent. One boy told me that he was giving up watermelon! Wonderful. Give up something that won't be all that important in your life anyway, unless of course he is passionate about watermelon at any cost. Week after week I am delighted by the honest genius of children.We now have 40 days (well, 38 and counting) to figure out what Lent means for us. Here are some thoughts collected by the folks at Christianity Today.
IN THE DAILY ROUND of life, dust and cobwebs accumulate in our souls. The hidden corners of our hearts become encrusted with grime or filled with forgotten debris. During the weeks of Lent, God's Spirit is given opportunity to clear away the clutter, sweep away the dust and wash us clean. We are invited to prepare ourselves heart, soul, mind and body for the new life of Easter.
Marlene Kropf in The Mennonite
Marlene Kropf in The Mennonite
I GAVE UP coffee creamer for Lent one year. By the end of the tenth day, I began to love black coffee. That's the year I learned that it isn't giving up things that counts. Me? I became aware that only internal change really counts.
Joan Chittister, Listen with the Heart
Joan Chittister, Listen with the Heart
MAYBE LENT is a good time to stop doing and try being… . Relinquishment lies at the heart of the Christian gospel and is a countercultural choice that hones our discipleship. If I let go of the assumption that my hard work will bring me all that I desire, I begin to look at the present moment, receive it with gratitude, and know what it asks of me. I learn when it is time to rest, time to plan, time to play, time to wait, time to act boldly.
Elizabeth J. Canham in Weavings
Elizabeth J. Canham in Weavings
THEY WHO are conscious of their own sins have no eyes for the sins of their neighbors.
Abbot Moses in The Wisdom of the Desert
Abbot Moses in The Wisdom of the Desert
IF YOU therefore go to the desert to be rid of all the dreadful people and all the awful problems in your life, you will be wasting your time. You should go to the desert for a total confrontation with yourself.
Alessandro Pronzato, Meditations on the Sand
Alessandro Pronzato, Meditations on the Sand
THE SEASON of Lent involves the telling of the same old story that invites us to become participants in the drama. If we choose to act in this great Passion Play we shall find ourselves called to be experiments in vulnerability. We will have set in motion a course of events totally beyond our control.
Alan Jones, Passion for Pilgrimage
Alan Jones, Passion for Pilgrimage
4 comments:
When I was a child I don't remember giving things up for lent. We had received from Sunday School a small bank in which we gave 3 pennies per each meal we were thankful to recieve. In the 1960's 5 pennies would buy you a coke a penny was worth something back then.The collected money was sentto help feed the not so lucky kids in the world.At this time of the year I tend to give more to the food bank as you suggested in church last week.
That's an interesting reminder Brian. Some of us are old enough that we grew up in a time before a more open and ecumenical attitude. Some Protestant churches did use those banks and denominations such as the Salvation Army had Self Denial. Maybe it was an opportunity to acknowledge Lent without calling it that!
Most of these comments speak to the inner work of Lent which has always been my understanding(and explanation) as we celebrate Easter with Catholic family members. I liked your image David in yesterday's "Why Would Jesus Say That?"(Lenten devotional book)about being a little less earnest, and a little more "open" to the Spirit as a good internal focus for Lenten time (and beyond).
What can I say Laura, I love being quoted.
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