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PDF versionA Lent that matters
by Carol Meyer on Mar. 08, 2011
What would make your Lent the best ever? It’s worth pondering because it’s not going to happen unless you decide that is your goal.
We’ve got the advantage of a collective spiritual energy in Lent that can support our efforts, so it’s a perfect time to get more serious. And we never know when it’s our last Lent, so let’s seize the 40 days while we can.
Here’s what my ideal Lent would look like.
It would contain no hint of just “going through the motions” based on past conditioning. The chosen disciplines would be carefully discerned, proceeding organically from my present spiritual state.
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It would be a unique and meaningful spiritual time, guided more by the Holy Spirit than my fallible mind. Its aim would be a transformation of heart and character that would serve me and the world in the long haul. It seems to me that this is what happened to Jesus in his days in the desert.
Jesus undertook a rigorous program of fasting and solitude, as he must have known he had a daunting mission ahead of him that required the utmost spiritual strength and purification. Stripped of comforts, friends and activities, it was just he and God and the wilderness.
There he had to confront his demons—the allure of pleasure, popularity, ego satisfaction, and worldly acclaim and power. Who knows what soul searching and gut-wrenching anguish he went through to commit to serving God alone with a 100% of his being? Fasting and immersion in the natural world were his allies in this struggle and ultimate surrender to God’s will.
What can this experience of Jesus teach us as we begin our Lenten journey?
Jesus did virtually nothing but be present to God. So maybe adding on spiritual practices to an already frantic, full life isn’t what we need most. Perhaps taking things away would better serve us.
I’m reminded of spiritual writer Eknath Easwaren’s observation that if you offered people a lecture about God or the chance to meet God, most people would choose the lecture.
If Jesus knew he could meet God most directly alone in nature, then maybe that’s a strategy we should adopt this Lent. Usually, we carry a bag of props with us, even spiritual ones, that buffer our encounter with God, lest too much be demanded of us. Let’s have the courage to lay them aside this Lent.
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And let me put in a good word for fasting, and I don’t mean the minimal requirements of the church.
For years, I did longer fasts of five to seven days and it was easier to do than imagined because a little button in my brain related to food just clicked off. I was usually hungry the first day, but not after that. The energy usually given to the digestive process was channeled into a higher state of spiritual awareness. And fasting brought up emotional issues big time, causing psychological as well as physical cleansing.
Fasting is a powerful spiritual tool I urge you to consider. And you’re not going to starve or ruin your health in a few days, as some would have you believe. Fasting is great for your health and is recommended many times in the Bible.
Results are what we should be looking for this Lent, lifelong habits and virtues nurtured through our chosen disciplines.
We live in challenging times just as Jesus did, and to be a disciple of Christ requires much spiritual maturity and strength. Following Jesus’ example, let’s go the extra mile and really expose ourselves to the sometimes scary influence of the living God, which just might turn out to be unconditional acceptance and love.
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All Carol's insights are
All Carol's insights are personal and interesting, though she fails to even hint at what our church norms make clear: "The season of Lent is a preparation for the celebration of Easter" (General Liturgical Norms for the Liturgical Year). Absent this perspective, which is the perspective of the catechumenate, Lent turns into self-help disciplines taken on for their own sake, or general spiritual efforts doable anytime of the year, or (worse...not that she mentions this) time for increased adult education.
Roger, Why damn with faint
Roger,
Why damn with faint praise here? For most of us, any observation of Lent is solid gain - whatever the practices we adopt or foreswear. One of the quotes was really salient for me.
"I’m reminded of spiritual writer Eknath Easwaren’s observation that if you offered people a lecture about God or the chance to meet God, most people would choose the lecture.
If Jesus knew he could meet God most directly alone in nature, then maybe that’s a strategy we should adopt this Lent. Usually, we carry a bag of props with us, even spiritual ones, that buffer our encounter with God, lest too much be demanded of us. Let’s have the courage to lay them aside this Lent."
Karl Jung one said the "religion is the final barrier to a true religious experience." So the disciplines of Lent can be a real means of meeting the resurrected Jesus. Put aside the trappings and practices. Just be present. and when he appears it will be an Easter event - even if you didn't intend it.
Maranatha!
Dick Sumpter
She didn't fail to even hint
She didn't fail to even hint at what our church norms make clear. It was clear that she wanted us to celebrate by becoming Resurrection in our intensified imitation of Jesus. She wants us to kick it up a notch so our discipline is effective. Easter.
There is much to be commended
There is much to be commended about fasting and prayer. However, not everyone can fast. Some people, such as diabetics, would become very, ill if not die, by attempting to fast.
Fasting can take many forms.
Fasting can take many forms. I am going to fast from talking every Friday during Lent, and let God have the floor all day for a change. Fasting to me is to refrain from something you rely on for happiness or security, instead of God. This for many people is food, but it can be anything: talking, too many beers, or drowning oneself in the noise of the internet. If we give up something we rely on for 40 days, what does that feel like? Does God step in, now that we have made room for him? I am going to find out :)
There are many types fasting,
There are many types fasting, it does not need to be food. Fasting from spending can also have the same effects on our lives as we realize the emphasis we place on "stuff" over relationships and how much excess is in our lives.
I found these insights to be
I found these insights to be very helpful. I appreciate especially the thought of letting the Holy Spirit lead me in my Lenten practices. Seems like that should be obvious, but I missed it! One more place I can give up control and let God guide me!
For those who are concerned about fasting from food for medical reasons, in our 8th grade faith formation class we talk about fasting from all kinds of things: t.v., texting, facebook, etc. We fill our lives with any number of things so that we have many things we could choose to fast from. When Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness fasting he surely fasted from food and more.
Our faith is wide and generous, and God makes sure that no one is left out or left behind.
I'm all for letting go of
I'm all for letting go of some of my "props" and walking with God, along with all God's people and with Creaton through the day!
I think Carol's reflection on
I think Carol's reflection on Lent is pretty balanced. Rather than focusing on "getting ready for Easter", I like her broader view. I think of this annual period as the Church's invitation to become more mindful about God's "transforming grace" which is always at work in me. Therefore I try to be more aligned with God's desire for my life through various disciplines and spiritual practices that help me slow down and grow in awarenss. This brings me closer to God in an ongoing seamless process. It doesn't end at Easter but I certainly do celebrate my baptism and the renewal of it at Easter. I do so as someone whose renewal flows from the effort of the 40 days as well as the grace that continues to move me along God's desire for my Christian life.
With all due respect, food
With all due respect, food is not the only fasting we can do....fasting from gossip, computer, from TV, from negative attitudes, from climbing ambitions - all of these fastings work on humbling our ego and make us vulnerable to the transforming grace of God.
Happy Lent! Peace, joy and grace as we enter the desert of transformation and resurection.
I was taken aback a little
I was taken aback a little when I saw the phrase, "What would make your Lent the best ever?" It sounded like a Dr. Phil or Oprah tv ad.
And Ms. Meyer's methods and techniques are worthy and good, and obviously helpful for her, which is good.
I'm just wrestling with a couple of notions like "my ideal Lent" and that Lent ought to be results oriented. I can't compartmentalize Lent like its a physical fitness program to be completed once my abs show a little definition. For me, and I want to clarify that I'm reacting to Ms. Meyers though she may be more right than I and perhaps I'm missing the boat, but for me each Lent is a step in growth and awareness. Her recognition that Jesus sought to be present to God, to me, is the overarching aim each Lent: a reminder that I need to focus my life more on being focused on God. Yes, things like fasting and spiritual reading etc. are tools to help me get there, or help me along the way. But "best ever" phrasing would suggest, well, if it's the best then I've accomplished it. I'm done. What happens after "the best?" Something "better?" Lent, to me, isn't something to accomplish, it isn't something to endure to see if I can make it. It is akin to a diet to be integrated and incorporated into an ongoing lifestyle. Maybe we're saying the same thing. And maybe I'm just reacting to a style of presentation or writing. As for a preparation for Easter, well, Easter has already happened. Lent, to me, is the continual cultivation to accept that Easter has happened and I've haven't integrated it more deeply in my daily life. I don't believe Lent and Easter are just repeated fixed activities or anniversaries because they are on the calendar. I know Easter has happened. I know Jesus has risen. I don't go into Lent and approach Good Friday with the question: will it happen this time? Will he make it? Can I wake up Easter Sunday and be relieved that it worked? I am compelled to live in the mystery of the Resurrection. And Lent, for me, is that time to simply stew in that mystery, stew without garnish or spice or other accoutrements.
As grace builds on nature
As grace builds on nature (yes, nature builds on grace also), this article gives me an opportunity to reflect on habits I have cultivated (and those which still need cultivation) in order to recognize the guiding hand of God who leads me to deeper and deeper repentance. Easter is the celebration of Christ's presence everywhere, even in my minuscule attempts to order my life. Thanks
Carol and NCR readers, You
Carol and NCR readers,
You might enjoy the blog I just posted today on Inviting a New Lent. http://yourspiritualtruth.com/2011/03/09/inviting-a-new-lent/
Lauri Lumby
Authentic Freedom Ministries
http://yourspiritualtruth.com
Poor Carol. She was only
Poor Carol.
She was only making a suggestion.
Thank God I don't live with Roger O'Brien, God bless him,
I'd be afraid to open my mouth.
Kevin Healy, Dublin, Ireland.
Maybe we should fast on being
Maybe we should fast on being critical of other's thoughts and insights and enjoy them instead.
A very worthwhile article
A very worthwhile article with a great pertinent challenge.
Thanks
Toleranace of opinion can be
Toleranace of opinion can be a step towards understanding...I like to read new Ideas and written word or words regarding the start and finish of Lent. Being a private and personal time to discover more of God and your relationship with him...I do like and will introduce to my lenten fast, to obstain from a beverage that I like. Instead to take that time to reflect on God....This proves to be very interesting..blessings
"Blessed are the pure of
"Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God."
During this Lenten season
During this Lenten season there are many qualities i'm trying to change, as well as strengthen. Aside from me giving up soda which is kind of an ordinary thing for people to give up, I'm trying to go deeper and beyond those expectations. I would like to do better in school, although i've been trying my hardest in school all year, right now is the perfect time for me to really give it everything I have. I would aslo like to strengthen my relationships with my friends and family, and people whom I have possibly distanced myself from. I plan on doing this by being the best friend I can be, to everyone not just my "best friends" and as for my family, i'd like to be around more for them, since my siblings and I all go to different schools and my dad travels daily, we don't all get to be together that much. I will also try and hangout with my old friends more, we all have seemed to "drift apart" since grade school... mainly because most of them went to mount and a few others to other schools, and everything has changed so much for us, so I plan on trying to get together with them. Overall I think I can accomplish all of the goals for this Lenten season, and I have already started working towards each of them.
This Lent, I am working
This Lent, I am working harder than ever to offer myself up completely to God. I have struggled with anorexia and depression for the past five years, and although I am still struggling now, I am trying to recover for God. It is the hardest thing I have ever done. I know that God wants me to take care of my body and spirit. I am working to accomplish this by eating more, pushing myself to fight urges to give in and restrict, binge, or purge, and most importantly, by giving up negative thoughts about myself. God created me. When I insult myself, I am insulting God, even though I do not mean to do so. I want to make God happy. I want to love my body and myself as a person, so that I can rightfully and honestly praise God in gratitude for creating me. By trying to recover, I am cleansing my entire being of the evilness of the diseases, and thus making room for God in me.
~Tara DeAngelis
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