A holy Lent?

This is my Ash Wednesday meditation for the church newsletter. As we approach the end of Lent, I wonder whether anyone has attempted to answer my questions...

Dear People of God…I invite you…in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God’s holy Word. (BCP p.264)

We hear these words every year on Ash Wednesday, but what do they really mean for us today? What are we being invited to?

Self-examination. Let us take a good look at ourselves and our lives. What is important and what is not. What are my priorities? To whom and what do I give most of my time, energy, and money? Whom do I love and who loves me? How do I express my love for God and neighbor?

Repentance. When I look at myself, at my heart and soul, do I like what I see? Do I treat others the way I want to be treated? Do I love my God and my neighbor? Do I need to make changes? What changes can I make? Who can show me a better way?

Prayer. Do I pray? Why do I pray? How do I pray? And when and if I pray do I listen to what God is saying to me? Are there ways to be connected with God I may find more helpful that the ones I am accustomed to? Who can help me in my spiritual journey?

Fasting. Do I need to avoid meat until April 8? Or are we talking about something else? Do I need to get out of unhealthy habits? Where am I going to find the strength to do that?

Self-denial. Am I the only one I need to satisfy? Is my own happiness the one and only goal? Can I do without another pair of cute shoes? Another car? A new i-something? Can I use my resources in a way that gives life to someone else instead of me?

Reading and meditating on God’s holy Word. Shall I read a chapter of Scripture every day? Or maybe learn a psalm by heart? What if ‘Word’ meant Jesus, the incarnate Word? What if I chose to make a real effort of modeling my life on his?

We hear these words every year on Ash Wednesday, and every year many of us take them seriously enough to make a number of choices that will characterize the season that goes from now until Easter. Some of us will forgo chocolate or wine, some will choose to give some time to serve the needs of the community, some will purchase a collection of meditations and read one every day.

Whatever we chose to do, if we do it right, will operate a transformation in our life. We will find ourselves, 40 days from now, in a slightly different place from where we are at this time. We will see the world in a new light, through the lenses of our Lenten experience.

Transformation is what Lent is about. So that we may be ready to welcome the resurrected Christ and the restoration he brings. We prepare for joy. We prepare for new life. Therefore, I invite you to be changed and renewed. I invite you to the observance of a holy Lent….alleluia!