The Heart's True Home

Writing about prayer is a blessing in and of itself. Partly this is because it is familiar, at least at some level, to most people. Even if grace is not said at mealtimes and bedtime rituals have never mentioned God, the concept of thanking and beseeching a divine power regarding things undeserved or uncontrollable is so common, it would be unremarkable to find we were built for prayer.

An even stronger reason to like writing about prayer is the chance to revisit Richard J. Foster's "Prayer: Finding the Heart's True Home", a wonderful examination of prayer in all its various forms. Foster differentiates no fewer than 21 different types of prayer, reflecting the wide range of emotions, experiences and expectations that people bring to any particular expression of prayer. Given such an expanse of situations, it is no wonder that even the fundamentals of what amounts to conversation with God may change to suit the occasion. The extremes of need give rise to different techniques by which to approach the divine.

As that is a very common goal of many Lenten practices, Foster's introductory words are especially appropriate:

"Today the heart of God is an open wound of love. He aches over our distance and preoccupation. He mourns that we do not draw near to him. He grieves that we have forgotten him. He weeps over our obsession with muchness and manyness. He longs for our presence.

"And he is inviting you - and me - to come home, to come home to where we belong, to come home to that for which we were created. His arms are stretched out wide to receive us. His heart is enlarged to take us in."

Such a love, wounded but still longing, is offered to all and is sorely needed by most. The practice of prayer leads through the front door of heaven, a well-travelled road to the presence of God, himself. It is a long road, but one that even the most jaded cynic can walk and for those willing to stick to it, it gives grace, understanding and peace.

May God show you new paths of prayer this Lent.

Spiritual Disciplines

Fasting is only one of many commonly-cited spiritual disciplines. No list can claim to be authoritative, but a comparison among influential authors can be found at:

http://sanctification.wikidot.com/spiritual-disciplines

Richard J. Foster's book, "Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth" lists meditation, prayer, fasting, study, simplicity, solitude, submission, service, confession, worship, guidance and celebration as spiritual disciplines. Of these, submission and guidance are perhaps the furthest from mainstream thought and to these, it can be argued, silence and chastity might be added. For the most part, entries in other lists can be correlated with those listed here.

It is useful to note that while the word 'discipline', in the sense considered here, can conjure negative images and feelings, it more often than not implies active participation. Just considering the above list of 14 practices, only 4, fasting, solitude, silence and chastity, are primarily sacrificial, with another 3, simplicity, submission and guidance, focused on replacing certain behaviors with others. Fully half of the list, meditation, prayer, study, service, confession, worship and celebration are active practices requiring additional effort.

A similar list was posted by Phil Steiger in his blog of several years back:

http://quaillake.blogspot.com/2006/09/spiritual-disciplines.html

He also divides the disciplines roughly in half, with 7 listed as Disciplines of Abstinence (solitude, silence, fasting, frugality, chastity, secrecy and sacrifice) and 8 listed as Disciplines of Engagement (study, worship, celebration, service, prayer, fellowship, confession, submission). Regardless of how the list is divided, a large number of disciplines are clearly participatory.

Given this, it is curious that the church, over the ages, has chosen to accentuate forsaking bad habits, rather than replacing bad habits with good. Could it be that Lenten observances involving both abstinence and engagement rather than abstinence alone might be more successful in the long run? It is certainly something to consider.

May God give you peace in your spiritual disciplines of choice.

The Only Question

It is puzzling in the extreme that Lent is so focused on releasing a bad habit and that accepting a good habit gets second billing. Trying to not do something is poor psychotherapy. Not only does concentrating on something absent accentuate the longing for it, but under such emphasis, even a small transgression can lead to a feeling of complete failure. So what is it about abstinence that captures the imagination? Perhaps achievements made under divine scrutiny amplify the pride in the accomplishment? Or maybe it is easier to keep trying the same thing, season after season? Or could it be that fall/winter holidays (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Eve) take a couple of months of effort to undo?

It seems much better to adopt a new practice and celebrate every little success in performing it, drawing attention to the discipline needing to be reinforced. Positive feedback increases the desire to achieve and increases the likelihood of further advances. Good behavior begets better behavior and lasting improvement is built layer by layer. The end result will be a practice that is stronger and that lasts beyond Lent.

But whatever the reason, Lent is associated foremost with personal sacrifice even when it is unspiritual. Now, it is undeniably true that Jesus sacrificed much for us and that we are forever His, from before we were born to long after we die. With someone who is so dedicated to us, it is only natural to look up to His example and to devote ourselves to following Him. And it is also clear that Jesus' admonitions to follow Him more often than not involve something left behind. But Jesus is not putting forth a qualifying test. Jesus does not ask for us to show we deserve to be His disciples. He is not measuring our worthiness to be seen with Him. There is no stopwatch counting split seconds before we mess up again. No, Jesus asks us to clear away only those spaces in our lives that He intends to fill. And he offers to guide us along the way. Even better, he promises to do the heavy lifting, to feed us, to bind our wounds, to lift up our souls and carry them when we cannot.

His only requirement is for us to believe in Him. Jesus, teacher extraordinaire, first gives away the answer: "I am the way and the truth and the life." (John 14:6) And then he asks the only question on the exam: "Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me?" (John 14:10) That's it, a single true/false question. It is both that simple and that difficult. Our Lenten practices, then, should focus on the only question that matters, how to be stronger in our belief and how to diminish our unbelief.

May God give you the strength to believe in His son, our Lord, Jesus Christ.

A Day Like No Other

There are several natural scenes that are easy enough to connect to the awesome power of God. The dazzling sunset over the ocean that is so wide it can't be viewed all at once. The crystal clear mountaintop view of forested peaks covered with freshly fallen snow. The night sky on a cloudless night far out in the countryside. And my favorite, the massive display of color, majesty and power that we quite feebly have named The Grand Canyon. When confronted with what is so clearly the work of a force far beyond anything the human species will ever be able to create or control, there is nothing to do but stand in wonder.

Nothing like that happened yesterday. Even before the day began, much of it was known and anticipated with resignation. The snow started the night before and came and went, mixing with rain and ice all night. The scene in the morning was dreary, wet snow accumulating in ridges on back roads, main roads passable, but occasionally treacherous. A foot of powder would have been better - clothes don't get wet when powder falls from a tree branch above. The sun rose, or at least it got brighter outside, but the sky remained cloud-filled and gray. The plows were ineffective, little to scrape away, yet what was left was slippery. Nightfall brought little change. All roads were passable, but many at speeds below posted limits.

In truth, though, yesterday was just as awesome as any more notable day. It was far from ordinary, filled with challenges and pitfalls. It forced life to slow down a bit and it demanded careful attention. It had more than the average number of chances to be polite and let someone else go first. It was inconvenient, but an equal-opportunity inconvenience. The white blanket that covered everything was beautiful, reaching in all directions beyond sight and the snowflakes were marvels, too, each one crafted slowly and sent on its own path to earth. And in the midst of it all, God was present just as He is all days. He doesn't postpone because of weather.

It is important that yesterday be recognized for what it is, a day not exactly like any other, but still similar to many others, a day somewhat out of the ordinary with plenty of very ordinary activities. Most important, God was present in ways big and small yesterday. He was in-your-face huge as traffic snarled and extremities froze. Yet His call to worship was whisper soft. No doubt, the vast majority missed His holy presence. Today, in ways familiar and unsuspected, He also strives to be known. And tomorrow, He will likewise be with us, probably in a different way, but still quite accessible to those with eyes to see and ears to hear.

May you find God with you where ever you go and may you hear His still, small voice on the way.

Fasting Pitfalls

There is a very real danger that fasting can be overdone, or rather, done inappropriately. Reputable guidance for establishing a fast will point to the goal of drawing closer to God through identifying with the suffering of Christ. A fast makes sense in the context of emulating Jesus' temptation in the wilderness or in the general context of traditional spiritual disciplines, in which fasting is a well established practice among many. It makes much less sense in the context of Holy Week and Easter.

Jesus' suffering leading up to and including the crucifixion is by all accounts extreme and is worthy of contemplation and study. So, too, the fact that Jesus willingly accepted His fate, knowing full well the suffering that was in store and equally sure that He could escape it, just as He had slipped away at other times in His ministry. But on the way to the cross, Jesus suffered persecution and torture, not deprivation. The difference is important.

Lenten fasting is intensely personal, in its establishment, in its execution and in the results it produces. Persons who feel called to fast may be influenced by church traditions and pastoral suggestions, but the selection of the specifics of the fast are highly individual. The same goes for carrying out the fast, adapting and changing previous behaviors to accommodate cravings and using the same cravings for spiritual ends. And the desired result of a successful fast is a stronger personal relationship to the Almighty.

Jesus' suffering and death, on the other hand, was all about relationships. He shared the future with His disciples so that they would understand and would be fully aware of their choices as things unfolded. The infractions that upset the established order were made so that He could minister to people in their need. He scolded the temple leaders for their following the letter of the law while ignoring the plight of God's people. He died specifically to lead the world to God. And even His resurrection glory was for our benefit, since it simply re-established what was already His. At each point and in every way, Jesus' focus was on others, not himself.

Viewed in this way, Lenten practices must be different, more than spiritual New Year's resolutions. They must focus on God's desires, not our own. For many, this will require making space for God, getting rid of things that get in His way. Addictions of all sorts get in His way, so fasting from these things is a noble goal. And some may be successful at using fasting as a tool, setting aside what would otherwise be meal or snack time to pursue God's purposes or donating the savings in food cost to charity. Fasting as an end to itself, however, must be carefully examined to ensure it fits with God's will. In particular, fasting in private or as a means for self-improvement may fall short of His plan.

One may object that fasting can be used to discern God's will more clearly. I have not personally found this to be the case, but for those who are able to hear God's voice better on an empty stomach, I have no objections.

Others might ask, how about using Lent to become more fit for God's purposes, improving our individual spirituality so we can better worship Him and serve His people? These are worthy sentiments and improving spiritual consciousness should be a lifelong exercise. But God inexplicably accepts us as we are and I believe He equips us on the way, once we have already started the journey. Fasting that fits within an inspired endeavor achieves His purposes and gives Him glory. Fasting to prove or improve fitness for His service does not, for we will never be sufficiently fit to accomplish His goals by ourselves. Rather, it is only through His power that we are enabled to succeed. He is not limited by our limitations, but our reluctance to trust in His grace does prevent us from participating in His Kingdom.

May God's power enable you to succeed in His service this Lent.

Fasting and Feasting

The practice of fasting is so clearly associated with Lent that common usage now associates it with voluntary forbearance of just about anything, especially over periods of a day or more and especially in conjunction with religious practices. For this post, however, fasting will refer to voluntarily not eating food (or certain foods), specifically during, or on certain days during, Lent. Even with this narrower definition, it is not possible to cover the range of practices in common use.

Some practices, however, are so common as to be unavoidable. Perhaps the all-time, most popular Lenten discipline is the partial fast, giving up a particular food or type of food during Lent. Examples include chocolate, desserts, candy, sweets, snacks, coffee, alcohol, fast food, or meat. Often, this discipline is kept unbroken, even on Sundays, though Sundays are technically counted as feast days, even during Lent. While giving up any habitual food is difficult, selecting one particular food or group of foods can remove or soften some temptations to break the fast, since refusing a single dish on temporary religious grounds is generally socially acceptable.

A more difficult fasting discipline is the single day per week complete fast, traditionally Friday, in remembrance of the day of the week Christ was crucified. In today's world of instant gratification, going for 24 hours consuming only water can seem daunting. Having successfully practiced this discipline during a number of Lents in the past, I must admit that one experiences hunger to an unfamiliar level, but a healthy human body has no problem adapting to a day without calories. (Fasting must allow drinking water and should not be done by young children, pregnant women, those with certain chronic illnesses, among others. Please consult a physician before adopting a complete fast.) In fact, fasting people may notice a significant change in body metabolism as the body naturally adjusts to minimize energy consumption. Of practical concern in adopting a complete fast, are secular needs that are difficult to predict, such as business or social occasions centered on eating.

Just as the logistics of fasting vary widely, so do the motivations for adopting a fast. Nancy Leigh DeMoss, in her post about Lent on February 22, 2012, talks about 'fasting the flesh to feast on Christ', an appealing concept:

"... many Christians observe Lent as a meaningful way of meditating on the sufferings of Christ on our behalf. They choose to deny their flesh as a daily reminder that Christ died and rose again to deliver us from slavery to sin and self.

"... there is value in taking such an extended period of time to clear out the clutter that accumulates in our hearts, to say 'no' to things that may have become too important to us, and to cultivate greater love for Christ." (http://www.truewoman.com/?id=2021)

The Prayer Foundation (http://prayerfoundation.org/lent_40_days_of_prayer_&_fasting.htm) points to traditions from the very early church, namely the teaching of new converts leading to baptism on Easter and the associated fasting rituals, as items to consider in adopting fasting as a discipline.

Fasting in remembrance of or identification with Christ's trials in the wilderness are beautifully framed by Fredrick Buechner:

"Romantic love is blind to everything except what is lovable and lovely, but Christ's love sees us with terrible clarity and sees us whole. Christ's love so wishes our joy that it is ruthless against everything in us that diminishes our joy. The worst sentence that Love can pass is that we behold the suffering which Love has endured for our sake, and that is also our acquittal. The justice and mercy of the judge are ultimately one." (http://dailychristianquote.com/dcqbuechner.html)

May Christ's ruthless love draw you close and justify you before God.

iLent

It's a sign of the times that apps to help observe Lent are readily available:

http://www.imore.com/2012/02/24/apps-observing-lent/

As is to be expected, some are little more than counting programs, keeping track of the number of days since the user violated a pledge (or at least was willing to enter such into their phone). Others are more involved, listing Bible verses or meditations specific to the season. Of course, none of them can pick the right observance for an individual, much less substitute for the actual observance itself.

Here are a few apps that would be useful, but have yet to be published:

- Virtual Calorie, an app that renders food calorie free, but still tasty

- Operator (a la Manhattan Transfer), an app that phones Jesus directly

- Blessed Art Thou, a video app showing the real Sermon on the Mount

- iRapture, an app that provides a photo-realistic view of heaven

Seriously, the currently available apps are simply tools to assist in what is still a slow process of discernment and learning new habits. The day may come when a different frame of mind can be downloaded directly to the brain, but it isn't here yet. And there is good reason to think it might never catch on, even when it becomes possible. Imagine the ability to change one's life to adopt any set of behaviors one chooses. Such technology would certainly include the ability to change back, which many would do, having experienced life as an essentially different person. In turn, such flip-flopping would lead to the desire to understand and select a set of observances that would be permanent, which would undoubtedly require discernment and learning to live with new habits, not far at all from the situation today.

And truth be told, the tools have been around for some time. Living in God's grace is a heavenly experience, the Bible records the Sermon on the Mount (in English!) and prayer is a direct connection to Jesus. It's all a believer will ever need. Still, that Virtual Calorie app would be so cool.

May you discover new ways to use technology to become closer to God.

Active Listening

While there is much to be said for the pace of today's world, few people would argue that there is too much time spent listening. Activity seems to spring out of every crack and crevice and with it noise and distraction. One common response is to plug a set of earphones into the latest portable music device and turn up the volume, but this simply replaces the unending craziness with distractions we can control. We remain distracted, nonetheless, maybe even more so because we find meaning in the sights and sounds we choose. Almost by definition, then, we close off all opportunity for God to get our attention. When we hold the remote, the Holy Spirit channel is rarely tuned in.

There seems to be a belief that listening is easy and relaxing. The odd thing is, most chosen distractions are neither relaxing nor easy to listen to. In fact, listening well takes concentration and commands our attention, neither of which can really be done passively. We must admit that when we are in close touch with another person, communicating completely, seeing things together, that it's an exciting, energizing experience. There is a vibrancy that exists, not so much in one person or the other, but between them. Like an electric charge that can do no work unless it is flowing, accepting another person's words and feelings creates a warmth, both in the speaker and in the listener, like no other. It validates the source and at the same time gives purpose to the receiver. Clearly, intimacy of this sort takes effort and practice.

To be sure, not all relating is inspiring, even when both parties are experienced and committed. Couples deeply in love can be frustrated by prolonged periods of misunderstanding. Bridging youthful and elderly age gaps can require vast, inhuman amounts of patience. Space and time can intervene, even in today's connected world. And just the wear and tear of the ordinary can pressure emotions in ways that can't be put into words. Yet we persist in trying and often enough, we do touch, if just for a short while or in an incomplete way. Those fleeting, grasping connections give us life, push us to deeper meaning, motivate our continued striving. We return, not really refreshed, but renewed, and we reach out, to hear and to be heard, to listen strongly, listen with strength.

This is one important way that we are made in the image of God. For God listens and knows our thoughts before we speak them. He is always within hearing distance and is never too busy to lend an ear. He yearns to hear us talk and to talk back to us and he is constantly speaking through the world around us and the people we meet. How can we be so deaf and blind to not notice? This question drives many Lenten practices, from daily prayer to meditation to church attendance to random acts of kindness. Believers everywhere know they can learn to be better listeners. It takes practice and lots and lots of hard work, but it is more than worth the effort.

May God's will be made known to you and may you listen actively to Him.

Reminded

One Sunday morning some time ago, I recall standing in the greeting line after worship, waiting to shake the minister's hand. The youth pastor had delivered a particularly fine sermon and I wanted her to know my appreciation. True, it was a simple message about the divine love and comfort available to all through Jesus Christ, but she had crafted an engaging discourse and delivered it with ease and comfort. Her words had captivated my attention and she had wrapped it all up beautifully with a heart-tugging vignette that had touched me. When it came my turn to speak, I praised her sermon and thanked her for the way she gave it. Her reply caught me off-guard: "You know, we all need to be reminded every now and then." I agreed, then turned, a bit stunned, and walked away.

Reminded? Of what? She had missed my compliment completely, yet I suspected I had missed the true message of her sermon. Reminded? What did she mean, reminded? I mulled over everything I could remember about her homily, the stories she told, the connections she pointed out. Reminded? What, of God's love? But of course, it finally became obvious. His love is amazing, literally too good to be true. And at our best, we simply try to be in its presence, to let it wash over us and bleach our sins away. But those times are far too few and we more often shield our wounds from God's forgiving grace, the very thing that heals them. So good are our defenses that ministers have to catch us in an unprotected moment to get us to accept once again that His love surrounds us. Wouldn't it be wonderful if that reminder could be given over and over, without it growing stale and powerless?

Every Lent, the opportunity to be reminded is offered once again. Not necessarily from the pulpit or the lectionary, but from the Holy Spirit speaking through the practices we choose to adopt for the season. Seen in this way, the question of what practice to undertake is transformed into what is the best way to listen to the Holy Spirit's whisperings? Or maybe it becomes how best to get in touch with the Holy Spirit's nudging? Or perhaps it changes into what viewpoint aligns best with the vision of the Holy Spirit? Regardless of how it is sensed, moving closer to the Holy Spirit is the promise that drives the Lenten journey and infuses meaning into otherwise useless activities. And seeking this unity in all its various forms, is the highest aspiration of all believers, especially as Eastertide approaches.

May God remind you of His love for you as you reach for Him this Lent.

Just Right

Even when making space is the goal, actual achievement can be tough. The everyday, pre-Lent world doesn't just pack up and move over, just because the request is sincere. And it's not like there is a magic phrase that the initiated have to set all things proper. The perils are many and the faithful must always be on their guard. But how does one begin? What makes one thing a good Lenten sacrifice and something else a poor one?

Well, for starters a 'just right' Lenten sacrifice must satisfy the Goldilocks principle - not too hot, not too cold, but 'just right'. It needs to be achievable, and not just barely achievable, because there are certain to be unforeseen pressures and conflicts which lead to temporary setbacks. Not only do large sacrifices more often than not end in failure, but the effort required to succeed may itself distort life so much that it is unsustainable and counterproductive. Included in "achievable" is an allowance for changing circumstances. Aiming to attend morning Mass every day may need to give way to a friend's personal crisis that intrudes at 4 am. But a goal too easy can also be an impediment to success. Lapsing into old behaviors is always a risk, and promising to do something simple or of little personal meaning invites forgetfulness.

The best Lenten sacrifice must be 'just right' in another way - it must hold hope for spiritual growth and so must balance worthy activity with thoughtful contemplation. This is a personal optimum because what might be exhausting work for one person might be aggravatingly easy for another. And what might strike one person as just the way things are may theologically challenge another in ways too extreme. And an hour for some might just be beginning, while for others might be past quitting time. Ideally, then, the selected sacrifice needs to meet individual needs for Christian purposefulness, for reflection and introspection, and for a manageable commitment of time, energy and money.

The final 'just right' should be considered from God's perspective. He has gifted each person in different ways and all can choose to devote those gifts to his service, but so often there is no single way that is clearly His desire. Indeed, within the journey taken lies a benefit all to itself and the sacrifice chosen may not be nearly as important as the manner in which it is given away and the attitude that is taken by the believer. So a person who feels called to sing praises to God every day may need to consider who God is trying to serenade.

Getting the selection 'just right' is not easy and may even be harder now that the subject has been examined closely. But maybe this is just an opportunity, a chance to get together with the One we serve and listen to the way He would lead. Whether it be through meditation, prayer, reflection, or even a list of pluses and minuses, being open to the leadings of the Holy Spirit as one embarks on a Lenten quest should have top priority. More than just appropriate, it is where all beginnings should start, where all middles should pass through and where all endings should finish.

May God lead you to practices that are 'just right' for you in His eyes.

Making Space

The focus so far has been on sacrifice, because so many common Lenten practices at least start there. But modern sensibilities, mine among them, acknowledge that life rarely provides so clean a distinction. Should a truly bad habit be identified, it should be quit, and not just for Lent, but for the rest of life. The person who can never achieve this has self-control issues that might need more than just a seasonal treatment. The person who repeatedly succeeds, eventually finds the list not wholly bad or not sufficiently motivating. Either person may find meaning in attempting to substitute a more spiritual activity for one less so. Thus is born the idea that it might be more pleasing to God that we form a new habit than give up something of little value.

But the sacrificial approach to Lent shares this very sentiment. The absence of what can no longer be enjoyed is the reminder needed to bring God's saving love to mind. A craving or a hunger pang cannot compare to His torture and crucifixion, but it can bring it to memory. That He became human, experienced every human need and wish, saw every human depravity and sin, healed physical and emotional disease, stood tall against oppression and hypocrisy and suffered humiliation, torture and death for His faithfulness, is proof that He desires an intimate relationship. And aspiring to put off worldly things to be more like Christ brings us closer to that relationship. There is so very much today that interferes, that separates us from Him and from one another. Giving up these things for a handful of weeks should certainly make plenty of space for the God of all nature.

Still, nature abhors a vacuum, a dictum true both physically and metaphysically. To be truly like Christ, we must not replace worldly habits with nothingness. His life was one of service to others, of rewarding faith, of understanding and lifting up the outcast, not one of sackcloth and ashes, or of monastic piety, or of let-me-get-it-right-first exclusion. To replace indulgence with forbearance is well and good, but to find and worship Christ in the eyes of our enemy, to lift the destitute to wholeness, to bring grace and forgiveness to a wicked world, these should be our fervent hope. To do any of these things well, space must be made in busy modern life, for sure. But that space cannot be guarded and preserved - it must be dedicated to Christ-like servanthood.

May God fill the space you make this Lent with His peace, hope and love.

Burdens Halved

Continuing yesterday's post (see Friendly Sacrifices), I have used variations of Father Martin's tradition to introduce youth of middle school age to the idea of Lenten sacrifices. It is often quite difficult for these students to understand the concept of their own sin and the true consequences of their bad habits. When asked about these things, they tend to replay the messages they get from their parents, but without conviction. ("I guess I should get up earlier and get to the bus on time, but I'm just not a morning person.")

So how do you reach pre-teens and early teens? At this age, youth are forming their social identity, so it makes sense to enlist the dynamics of a group. But left to its own, the group can be mean and demanding, so care must be exercised that individuals and their unique behaviors not be singled out. One way that has worked well starts with a leader's brief introduction to the concepts and terms for those lacking any knowledge, followed by guided discussion, where those who know about Lent share their thoughts and past experiences. Brainstorming can then lead to a list of possible actions to adopt for Lent. Depending on the group, any of a number of ways leads to each person taking on an activity.

Having used this exercise for a number of years in an evening youth group, some results are worth mentioning. First, beyond the typical 'forego chocolate' and 'no candy' directives that are standard sacrifices from the adult world, and the 'no video games' type of punishment their parents may inflict, youth are much better at identifying sacrificial actions to take on vs. selfish tendencies to give up. So 'set the dinner table' and 'take the dog for a walk' are more likely than 'no makeup' to be listed. Even at this early age, this can be seen as self-justification - a small additional penitence gives permission to keep vain or selfish habits. But even without this dynamic, youth are often over-programmed and may overestimate their ability to take on more commitments.

In addition, some effort must be made to equalize the difficulty of the activities. Youth have a keen sense of fairness, especially if they feel they have been burdened more than another. By emphasizing the positive outcomes of Lenten sacrifices and by making participation explicitly voluntary (ultimately, we all choose our dedication to the sacrifices chosen), perceived inequality can be minimized.

Finally, in spite of best efforts to create positive outcomes, additional assistance will very likely be necessary. This ranges from ensuring that each person has at least some control over the activity assigned to enlisting the assistance of parents to monitor progress to providing an extra incentive for successful completion to periodic check-ins with forgiveness and encouragement provided as needed.

Done well, this exercise has been an effective tool for imparting the concepts of Lent to youth. From the 7th grader who works at odd jobs around the house to earn $1 a day for the charity of her choice, to the couch potato in training who cuts back to 1 hour per day of television, to the disconnected student who says something nice to a teacher each day, to the youth minister who gives up his iPod for 6 weeks, the people who have made a serious attempt and have shared their experiences have been supported and enriched by incorporating group participation. In this way, burdens shared become burdens halved.

May God provide you opportunities to share your burdens this Lent.

Friendly Sacrifices

A favorite example of Lenten sacrifices comes from Father James Martin, a Jesuit priest and commentator for National Public Radio. On Shrove Tuesday (Mardi Gras, the day before Lent) in 2006, he delivered a segment on All Things Considered that is worth revisiting again and again:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5238122

Father Martin outlines a reasonable explanation of typical Lenten practices as he relates his personal story. As a college student, his explanation of Lent to his roommate fell short of convincing, leading his roommate to suggest a real sacrifice, giving up orange soda for Lent. Thus started an enduring tradition of allowing a friend to name the sacrifice to be made each year.

There is much to be said for this practice. First, it is brutally honest. Each of us admits to certain shortcomings and Lent can be an attempt to address some of the more glaring commissions or omissions. But we are also masters at self-deception, inflating the worth of the things we give up or overestimating the benefits to our spirituality. By trusting another to specify what is appropriately difficult, we avoid lying to ourselves.

Second, it is relational. Many typical Lenten observances focus on individuality - personal spirituality, self-sacrifice, private suffering. This penance includes others and draws them in to a joint experience, initially for the setting of the goal, but also for accountability as Lent progresses. It is easy to imagine the mutual support resulting from swapping sacrifices, as well as shared joy at finally breaking the fast. Practiced repeatedly, year after year, this tradition strengthens bonds of friendship and engenders responsibility for one another. Encouraging this sense of community seems especially Christian.

Finally, stepping out in faith and taking a risk, even if it is confined to close friends, provides an opening for the Holy Spirit. There is a better chance for learning about personal fears, limitations and capabilities, as well as a glimpse into another's viewpoint. Life lessons rarely happen when the situation is under control, when we have it all together. Rather, it is when the illusion of self-determination is abandoned, scary as that often is, precisely then is growth enabled. As Father Martin observed, things outside our control become crosses we must accept, just as Jesus bore His cross.

May God lead you to trust a friend in new ways this Lent.

Beginnings

Where to start?  Every journey begins with but a single step, but even experienced travelers don't always know which way to head out.  So, how to begin?

Personally, I've adopted many different practices in past Lenten seasons, with varying measures of outward success, each valuable in its own way.  So I'm at it once again, yet I'm forced to admit that 2013 presents significant challenges.  There isn't much nationally or locally that encourages spiritual awakening and none of my past practices seem to fit well this year.  Even the juxtaposition of Ash Wednesday and Valentine's Day seems to pull in opposite directions.  Various weaknesses and shortcomings suggest themselves, but none so strongly as to provide sufficient motivation.  God's still small voice is undoubtedly there, but it's as hard as ever to hear it.

Ash Wednesday's service is still fresh in my mind, mostly the part encouraging each person to adopt the attitude that "Lent is not about me."  The sentiment is traced to a Huffington Post blog entry that I recommend:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rev-emily-c-heath/its-not-about-me-a-lenten-challenge_b_2659425.html
It clearly advocates for outwardly-directed action, whether toward God or toward neighbor - I'm at ease with that.  And I get that "...if our Lenten discipline is only about us, and what we will allow ourselves, we miss the point."  The challenge, then, is that we are only given our one, personal viewpoint on life and by nature we are at least self-centered, if not selfish.  How, then, to ensure pure motives and a focus that's correctly placed?  At this point, I'm sure only that I do not know.

May God bless your beginning and give you clarity in your first steps.

The Basics

Lent (lent, n.) A period in the Christian calendar preceding Easter, starting on Ash Wednesday and comprising 40 days (not counting Sundays). The date of Easter was set by the First Council of Nicaea as the first Sunday after the first full moon, on or after the vernal equinox, accounting for the year to year variation in Lent within a religious community. There are additional variations from church to church based on the calendar used for the calculations. In 2013, and for Christians following the Gregorian calendar, Lent started on February 13 and will extend to March 30, the day before Easter.

Lent commemorates significant trials in Jesus' life, especially the week leading up to and including His trial by Pilate and crucifixion, but also Jesus' temptation in the wilderness. The gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke place this latter event early in Jesus' ministry, immediately following His baptism and it is from these Bible passages that Lent gets its length.

For many Christians, Lenten practices include penitential sacrifices, often of certain foods, reminiscent of Jesus' fasting during his temptation (as recorded in Matthew and Luke). Fasting as a spiritual practice finds support in many other Biblical passages, as well as in other world religions. In addition to foregoing desirable things, believers will often emphasize church attendance or acts of piety during Lent.

Needless to say, practices surrounding Lent vary significantly, even within a given congregation. But most can be related to the general notion that Lent is a time for evaluation of daily practices, for eliminating those things that no longer have value and for allowing a growth in spirituality. Different viewpoints lead to differing emphasis on sacrifice vs. covenant, on temporary vs. permanent, on traditional vs. new, on reflective vs. active, on personal vs. corporate, on religious vs. secular.

It is this variety that I propose to explore. I want to take up all manner of Lenten activities and examine their usefulness. I hope to see the value in each approach and the opportunities that each affords. Being human, my own biases may tint my writing, but I pray that through contemplation and discussion, such errors will be revealed.

May the God of Lent give meaning to your sacrifices and fill graciously the space you make for Him.

Observing Lent - Reflections and Meditations

Hello and welcome.

Over the years, I've heard many descriptions of Lent and many recommendations for Lenten practices. I've found some of them helpful, some not so much. In the coming days, I hope to consider various viewpoints, expand them with personal insights and hopefully provide thoughts worth pondering. Some posts will be short like this one, some more involved. Your responses and comments are encouraged and while they remain manageable, I promise to respond as appropriate.

It is my intent that these writings be available to all, within the restrictions of the medium. I will reference other works, but my personal contributions I hereby place in the public domain. During Lent 2013, this blog will be actively managed. It's future beyond Easter has not been decided.

Finally, this blog serves as a portion of my personal Lenten practices for this year. As such, it will be a journey and as with many journeys, expect changes in itinerary, scenery and mood on a daily basis. Unlike most journeys, the location of this one will be fixed. So please come back again and again to participate.

May God's blessings be yours, now and throughout this Lenten season.

(Author's full disclosure: This 2013 journey is an extension of my 2012 Lenten blog, first posted at this same site, now archived.  The path is barely trod and bears repeating, but please expect some shortcuts and some detours.  Then, as now, may God bless your own journey.  - Graham)