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Tim West, Spiritual Life Committee Chair

The liturgy for Ash Wednesday invites us to observe Lent by:
* self-examination and repentance;
* prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and
* reading and meditating on God's word.

This is an ancient invitation, made in some form for over 1700 years now. But why? The purpose here, the opportunity, the benefit offered is to love God and other people more and better. This is the rationale to use when choosing your Lenten disciplines: will doing this or not doing that likely tend to bring me closer to God and/or improve my relationships with others?

How about spending some prayerful time and reflection planning your Lenten disciplines -- even before Ash Wednesday's 'last minute' invitation? Lent presents a truly great opportunity, a chance to till the soil of your spirit so that it's more receptive to God's grace, to prepare yourself for the chance for inner transformation presented by the mysteries of Holy Week. So, why wait until Ash Wednesday, when Lent is already upon you, to consider what you might take on, or drop off, during the 40 days?

Here are a few possibilities to consider as you plan your Lent.

(1) Do some especially spiritual reading. Here are suggestions from two wonderful living authors in the Anglican/Episcopal tradition.

Martin L. Smith, SSJE, director of the Society of St. John the Evangelist, who once lived in the Society's Durham community: "A Season for the Spirit: Readings for the Days of Lent." Cowley Publications, 1991. A beautifully written meditation-a-day companion to your journey through Lent.

-- "The Word is Very Near You: A Guide to Praying with Scripture." Cowley, 1989. A guide to fresh ways of "reading and meditating on God's word," including the ancient practice of Lectio Divina. It also, of course, leads to prayer, Lent's centerpiece.

Rowan Williams, Bishop of Monmouth, Wales, considered by many the most compelling contemporary Anglican writer. "A Ray of Darkness: Sermons and Reflections." Cowley, 1995. Includes many pieces especially appropriate to the season, with all selections worth reading and 'inwardly digesting.'

-- "Christian Spirituality: A Theological History from the New Testament to Luther and John of the Cross." John Knox Press, 1980 (1979 British edition published as "The Wound of Knowledge"). Something a little more intellectual, but just as pertinent.

And something from the Roman side: Henri J.M. Nouwen. "Show Me the Way: Readings for Each Day in Lent." Crossroad, 1997. Nouwen is clear, heart-felt, and radical in the best Christian sense. You might well find any of his other many books inspiring as well.

(2) Take a deep breath, and seriously consider trying the rite of Reconciliation of a Penitent (see "The Book of Common Prayer," p. 446). It could be life-changing.

Meditate on Psalm 51, that great Lenten psalm, as a daily discipline and/or try listening to Johannes Brahms's setting of Psalm 51 -- the Motet "Schaffe In Mir, Gott," a powerful and evocative setting of the central psalm of Lent. (A good recording is done by the Corydon Singers on Hyperion # CDA66389.)

These are ways you might accept the invitation to "self-examination and repentance." There are others, including such things as the rite of anointing and laying on of hands, a regular examination of conscience, journaling, intentional conversation with a friend, and beginning spiritual direction or psychotherapy. Any efforts to reconcile yourself with a world fraught with terrorism, the death penalty, etc., also would fit with a Lenten program.

(3) Try fasting and self-denial. Do I have to?! No, but consider taking on these disciplines along with a rationale you believe in and clearly understand. Fasting (broadly construed) can be any form of refraining from eating/drinking. One possible tack here is to use the impulse to imbibe as a reminder to pray. Another is to track the amount of money you save by the changes you make and give that amount to the poor, alms-giving being another Lenten mandate. One creative thought is to calculate what someone on food stamps can afford (something like $1.00/meal) and eat within that limit some days.

(4) For something different, memorize Robert Herrick's poem "To Keep a True Lent," as David Dodson did in the fourth grade at St. Albans School. (And it has stayed with him since 1965!) What is Lent about other than "to circumcise thy life?"

(Read down the whole left column first, then down the right column second).

Is this a fast, to keep The larder lean? And clean From fat of veals? Is it to quit the dish Of flesh, yet still To fill The platter high? Is it to fast an hour, Or ragg'd to go, Or show A downcast look and sour?

No; 'tis a fast to dole Thy sheaf of wheat And meat, Unto the hungry soul and sheep. It is to fast from strife From old debate And hate; To circumcise thy life. To show a heart grief-rent; To starve thy sin, Not bin; And that's to keep thy Lent.

(5) Join 'The Lenten Journey' group, attend the Lenten series at the church, and/or come to the Lenten Retreat/Quiet Day (see announcements elsewhere in this "Cross Roads"). Lenten disciplines used to be approached more communally. Traveling through Lent can be rewarding, but it is not easy -- we need all the mutual support we can get!

(6) And, finally, speaking of community, try increasing the frequency of your attendance at worship services at the church. There are more opportunities during Lent than the rest of the year, and they can be crucial guideposts on your Lenten journey.

© 2002: Chapel of the Cross