Lent Reflections & Resources
Lent Reflections & Resources
The Lenten Season is a time of preparation for Easter on the Christian calendar. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and goes for six and a half weeks ending on Holy Week and Easter Sunday. For Christians around the world this time is typically marked by some sort of fasting. We celebrate “Fat Tuesday” or “Shrove Tuesday” as a day of feasting before we repent on Ash Wednesday and begin Lent.
In more modern times people have begun using Lent to fast something other than food or to add some sort of intentional spiritual practice to make their Lent more meaningful and to seek spiritual growth. Maybe you are an old pro at fasting or maybe this is new to you and you would like to try something this season. This blog can be used as a resource for you and hopefully may help you engage with something worthwhile this season.
Reflections from Rev. Scott Gilliland (Senior Minister)
One aspect of Lent I have grown to appreciate is how fasting not only invites us to "give up" something, but really to "make space" for something that could be holier, healthier, or more life-giving. I love that fasting roots me in the core concept that personal sacrifice is always in service of something greater, not simply for the sacrifice's sake.
This year, I want to fast from my phone more, especially while at home with my family or winding down in bed at night. Rather than addressing emails that can wait til morning or playing games that are designed as time-wasters, I'd like to make space for more present connection with my spouse and kids, and also healthier activities like reading a book, listening to a podcast, prayer and devotion, or riding the stationary bike that has grown *very* stationary. A simple but significant shift that could prove much holier, healthier, and life-giving for me and my family as a whole.
Reflections from Rev. Cathy Sweeney (Associate Minister)
While some are 'giving up' thin mints for Lent, I'm a little different. And I like thin mints way too much to promise to give them up, especially when they just became available in February.
My traditional Lenten practice is to read a devotional book daily, and journaling about the theme. That practice is meaningful and thoughtful, and helps me to stay in a contemplative spirit throughout the day (I read and journal in the morning). There are two seasons in the Christian calendar when these dedicated devotional times are effective: Advent and Lent. This year, I'll be using John Pavlovitz' "Rise: An Authentic Lenten Devotional."
Two others that I find intriguing and will probably use sometime in the future: Gayle Boss' "Wild Hope: Stories for Lent from the Vanishing." Some of you might recall that we read Boss' "All Creation Waits" for Advent in 2020. This is the Lenten companion book that focuses on animals that are nearing extinction.
And finally, "Bread and Wine: Readings for Lent and Easter," is an anthology of classic and contemporary theologians, authors, and contributors, each who brings a thoughtful lesson for us to reflect upon each day. Lots of journalling potential from these readings!
Reflections from Aaron Manes (Dir. Of Online Ministries & Spiritual Engagement)
I have always done different things for lent. I like an experiment just to see if I can do it. One year we fasted wheat (we ate a lot of chicken wings and salad that year). Another year I went really nerdy and did a project on the ancient Hebrew calendar and how it affected the way the gospels were written. This year I am doing something more simple and maybe that would work for you too.
I am not good at journaling but want to be better. I bought a guided meditation book and am planning to journal based on my centering prayer practice. If you need an introduction into centering prayer, I would recommend "Into The Silent Land" by Martin Laird or if you would like a daily meditation prompt I like a book called "Reflections For Ragamuffins" by Brennan Manning.
Whatever you decide as your Lenten practice - even if that is giving up thin mints - we pray the season is meaningful and reflective in a way that leads to spiritual growth.