Lent is upon us - and some interesting blogging posts on the subject from Josh, Rupert and Ariela, highlighting Lent's connection with the opportunity for us to explore ancient spiritual practices/disciplines. Traditionally Lent is associated with giving something up, with denial and as i found out from talking to a couple of catholics on a course today [one lapsed altho there was some discussion if you can be such a thing] guilt...
That's the problem i find with denying myself - I am not very good at it and i can see from the conversations i had today people can feel bad when they start giving up say chocolate and only last a few days.
Using Lent as period of time to not just give something up but to gain something?
That could well because many of us could manage running a mile [just!] but would never be able to run a marathon, no matter how devout, serious or guilty we felt - so why do we think that a spiritual practice like denial will be any easier - chocolate for a day might be easy, for 40 could well be a step too far. At least to begin with - which is why i guess they call activities like fasting/denial spiritual practices or disciplines - cos you've got to practice them regularly and build them up slowly.
Another spiritual practice is giving to the poor and I like Rupert's idea that he posts about giving in a manageable, targeted and connected way over the Lent period - again starting small and practicing it often.
Both practices help us gain something - an ability to help deconnect, even for a brief of time, from the dominant forces in our world of out of control appetites in the case of fasting [lust, greed, self fulfilment] and the power of money/consumerism in the case of giving to the poor.
There is a third practice that i have been doing for the last few years which is prayer/bible reading - i have followed the 40 days of faith guides produced by Boston Vineyard - which goes through a book in the bible over the 40 days of Lent in a series of bible readings/application notes/prayers - focusing not just on me and my my wants [although it does encourage dreaming and praying for our dreams] but also where we live [so the communities we inhabit] and specifically for up to 5 friends/family who aren't followers of Jesus - not just that they would be but in how to love them, connect with them, help them etc or be a better follower of Jesus to them. I've found each year to be really helpful and growing [and if you read the story of Boston Vineyard where they do this as a church family it is absolutely amazing what has happened] with some years easier than others. Someone how at this point in the year I start to feel a bit cracked, tired and dry and these 40 days have helped me connect with God as a regular practice which helps replace me as the dominant power in my life for awhile...
Ash Wednesday - beginning Lent symbolically marked with the cross
Alongside the 40 days of faith i will also be joining my church in praying for Sri Lanka where we sent a mission trip out last yr - not sure what we will be praying for yet specifically, but i suspect all will be revealed on Wednesday evening when i'll attending my first Ash Wednesday service... I like the idea of beginning Lent marked with the cross in ash on my forehead, a reminder that the way of Jesus is one of picking up my cross, of learning self denial and in self giving - that the power to do so is not found in guilt, will power or feeling good about my religious devotion but in love, in grace and the power brought together in/through/with Jesus own life, death and resurrection
Finally...
I'll leave the final thought on the idea of maybe trying out regular spiritual practices over Lent of giving to the poor, fasting or praying to Jesus who had these inspired words to say on all three...
The World Is Not a Stage
1 "Be especially careful when you are trying to be good so that you don't make a performance out of it. It might be good theater, but the God who made you won't be applauding. 2-4"When you do something for someone else, don't call attention to yourself. You've seen them in action, I'm sure—'playactors' I call them— treating prayer meeting and street corner alike as a stage, acting compassionate as long as someone is watching, playing to the crowds. They get applause, true, but that's all they get. When you help someone out, don't think about how it looks. Just do it—quietly and unobtrusively. That is the way your God, who conceived you in love, working behind the scenes, helps you out.
Pray with Simplicity
5"And when you come before God, don't turn that into a theatrical production either. All these people making a regular show out of their prayers, hoping for stardom! Do you think God sits in a box seat?
6"Here's what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.
7-13"The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They're full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don't fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply. Like this:
Our Father in heaven,
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right;
Do what's best— as above, so below.
Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.
You're in charge!
You can do anything you want!
You're ablaze in beauty!
Yes. Yes. Yes.
14-15"In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do. You can't get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others. If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God's part.
16-18"When you practice some appetite-denying discipline to better concentrate on God, don't make a production out of it. It might turn you into a small-time celebrity but it won't make you a saint. If you 'go into training' inwardly, act normal outwardly. Shampoo and comb your hair, brush your teeth, wash your face. God doesn't require attention-getting devices. He won't overlook what you are doing; he'll reward you well.
A Life of God-Worship
19-21"Don't hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it's safe from moth and rust and burglars. It's obvious, isn't it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.
22-23"Your eyes are windows into your body. If you open your eyes wide in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light. If you live squinty-eyed in greed and distrust, your body is a dank cellar. If you pull the blinds on your windows, what a dark life you will have!
24"You can't worship two gods at once. Loving one god, you'll end up hating the other. Adoration of one feeds contempt for the other. You can't worship God and Money both.
25-26"If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don't fuss about what's on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.
27-29"Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.
30-33"If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.
34"Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.
Good post Paul. I love the stuff on spiritual disciplines ... as you say not something that we can learn quickly. I feel such a novice! Good link to Boston Vineyard too ... i think i might try to follow along as much as i can.
One of the other aspects of Lent, that to be honest i am not very good at, but would like to be, is to prepare myself for Easter Day. Often i get to Easter and i haven't taken any time to reflect on the meaning of Easter and how that affects my life. Somehow that feels very unsatisfactory. The high of Easter day seems a bit false if one hasn't followed the journey of holy week to the low of Good Friday.
Posted by: Rupert | 21 February 2007 at 08:38 PM
you and me both rupert :) I like the boston vineyard material, it really helps novice me and i hope it helps you too :)
Posted by: Paul | 22 February 2007 at 04:12 PM