Lean in for Lent
Today, Ash Wednesday starts the liturgical season of Lent.
It marks the forty days leading up to the Holy Thursday of Easter week, observing the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness fasting and praying.
Pancake Tuesday was yesterday a time of feasting. In contrast today marks a time of fasting as we realise our mortality, 'repenting from sin and believing the Gospel.'
The dictum 'Ashes to Ashes' comes from Genesis, often read at funerals, 'Remember you are but dust and to dust you shall return'(Gen 3:19).
The American Proverb summaries it succinctly when it says:
'Ashes to Ashes
Dust to dust
If the Lord don't have you
The devil must'
Maybe you haven't been marked on your forehead today, like devout Catholics, but maybe you too want to mimic Jesus'
example of fasting, as a sign of penitance, by skipping a meal or two?
"The purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer for Easter through prayer, fasting, doing penance, mortifying the flesh, repentance of sins, almsgiving and denial of ego"
A 'lenten sacrifice' therefore is the Christian observation of commiting to fasting as well as giving up certain luxuries, replicating in a small way, the account of the sacrifice of Jesus' journey in the desert for 40 days.
Many Christians add a Lenten spiritual discipline, such as reading a daily devotional or praying through the Lenten calendar to draw nearer to God. I call this leaning in for Lent.
Check out the brilliant new devotional for Lent, to help us, on offer free from Michelle at Dungannon Vineyard Church Email : michelle@vcdgn.co.uk
Lent is making space for God.
LEAN IN for Lent.
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