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As
I write, it’s Shrove Tuesday, the day
before Ash Wednesday.
For
many this is the last day for chocolate or alcohol before the long "fast" of the
Lenten season. In the past few days I have heard more and more often people
around me ask "what are you giving up for Lent?" or - in fewer cases "what are
you taking on for Lent?"
So
far, parishioners have been too polite to ask me, but I know it's
coming...
So
here goes: I am not big on desserts and my alcohol intake is limited to the
occasional glass of wine on a Friday night, but my most precious commodity is
time. I feel I never have enough: time for ministry, for family, for my prayer life, for
me.
As
I was reflecting on the reading from Deuteronomy (chapter 26, verses 1 to 11)
appointed for the first Sunday in
Lent, I came to the
realization that when it comes to time I don’t always put “my heart and
my treasure” in the same place (Matthew 6:21). If God is really the priority in
my life, why isn't God receiving the “first fruit” of my time, the best part of
it? It’s not that I don’t pray on a regular basis, but I am sorry to confess
that my prayer life has become a little dry recently - a little repetitive and
“routine”. God deserves better than that. God deserves the best I can
give.
So
this is what I am doing for Lent: I am being more mindful of how much time I set
aside every day to foster my relationship
with God.
Theologian Brian McLaren says that “the amount of time you spend each
day is less important than your faithfulness in prayer”; so I will make sure
that I firm on my Lenten calendar 30 minutes a day to faithfully BE WITH GOD. I will
read some scripture, journal a little, and then just be still and listen to the
voice of God. I am also planning to learn by heart a few prayers I love. And I will not
(you hear me?), I will not be distracted or sidetracked
by anything!
There, this is what I am doing for Lent: giving up some time
and taking on some time, all at the same time…Boy, this
is going to take some work.
Whatever you decide to do (or not do)
for Lent, I hope that 40 days from now you will find yourselves in a different
place in your spiritual journey, and readier than ever to celebrate the renewal
of life that Easter brings.
