A Holy Lent

A number of years ago I acquired a book that was passed down from church person to church person.  It is called More Than Words: A Resource Book for Church School Teachers and for Students in Junior High School Classes.  I think there are more than enough words in this title, but I digress.  So I decide to see if the word “Lent” is in the book, here is what it says.

“Lent almost always comes at the time baseball players go south or west for spring training.  When the warm weather comes, players start exercising in order to loosen their muscles.  They practice throwing, fielding, and batting.  After about six weeks they are in good shape for the beginning of the baseball season.  So it is with Lent.  This is the Church’s spring training season.”

I really love this metaphor.  I used to work in professional baseball and I know all about what it takes to get ready for the season to begin.  Catechesis of the Good Shepherd language calls this time as preparation to enter into the Mystery of Easter.

No matter what you call it, it is a time that one should devote to the building up of the spiritual self to fully experience the Resurrection of our Lord.  On Ash Wednesday, February 22, you will be invited to observe a holy Lent with these words from The Book of Common Prayer.

“I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God’s holy Word.”

My hope is that you will find a number of different ways to seek out a holy Lent.  We have Lenten meditation books available, free of charge, for each household.  These meditations were put together by Episcopal Relief & Development and I was one of the writers.  We have our “Hope Chest” and giving calendar so that you as a family can contribute coins on a daily basis as a sign of counting your blessings.  We will have a Lenten offering on Wednesday evenings that will connect you to the rhythm of life through Spirituals. 

Along with all of these opportunities, I hope that your own personal discipline of prayer is considered as a way to connect with the Holy One and make this a meaningful Lent.

Peace,

Lisa+