Lent at Redeemer
Dear People of God: The first Christians observed with great devotion the days of our Lord’s passion and resurrection, and it became the custom of the Church to prepare for them by a season of penitence and fasting. This season of Lent provided a time in which converts to the faith were prepared for Holy Baptism. It was also a time when those who, because of notorious sins, had been separated from the body of the faithful, were reconciled by penitence and forgiveness, and restored to the fellowship of the Church. In this manner, the whole Congregation was put in mind of the message of pardon and absolution set forth in the Gospel of our Savior, and of the need that all Christians continually have to renew our repentance and faith.
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 alms-giving; and by reading and meditating on God’s holy Word.
—BCP 2019, 543
Lent, meaning ‘Spring,’ has historically been a time of penance, prayer, and sacrifice. With Easter being the traditional time for baptisms in Church history, Lent became a time of preparation for the baptismal candidates. It continues to be a time of preparing for baptism and remembering our baptismal vows. Lent was also a time for people who were separated from the church to be restored to full fellowship. This season continues to be a time of reflection—we clear distractions in order to consider the ways we may have strayed, and renew our dependency on God’s grace for realignment
The Lenten season encourages us to step into the life of Jesus, journeying with Him, and longing for His likeness. Furthermore, Lent allows us to more fully experience the joy of Easter and the anticipated feast of Christ’s coming again! The season provides a quiet, penitential time in contrast to the Easter celebration.
Lent is a 40 day occasion (this does not include Sundays, as they are considered feast days). The number 40 appears frequently throughout the biblical text. Here are a few instances of its use:
It rained 40 days/night in the great flood story.
The freed slaves wandered for 40 years.
Moses spent 40 days fasting on Mount Sinai.
Elijah journeyed 40 days to the Mountain of the Lord.
Jesus fasted for 40 days in the wilderness.
During Lent, we tend focus most on Jesus’ fast in the wilderness. Fasting, as he did, compels us to consider our frailty in the face of temptation—and renew our dependency on the Spirit to persevere us in the midst of it. Lent is not just looking back and feeling a sense of regret, but it is also a time of looking forward. Consider it a time of restoration, and preparation. We should not obsess over where we have fallen short in the past but consider where God wants us to be. Alexander Schmemann writes, “Let us stress once more that the purpose of Lent is not to force on us a few formal obligations, but to “soften” our heart so that it may open itself to the realities of the spirit, to experience the hidden “thirst and hunger” for communion with God.”
Lenten Practices
Preparing for Lent Using the Prayer of St. Ephrem
O Lord and Master of my life,
take from me the spirit of sloth, despair, lust of power, and idle talk.
But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience, and love to Thy servant.
Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own transgressions,
and not to judge my brother, for blessed art Thou, unto ages of ages.
Amen.
The Lenten Prayer of St. Ephrem expresses the goal to not only take away something from our lives, but to also consider what virtues need to be developed. Along with praying the prayer of St. Ephrem daily, we can use it as a template to examine our lives asking ourselves these questions:
What needs to go?
What needs to be moderated?
What needs to be added?
We can apply this to three specific areas of our lives: prayer, fasting and almsgiving
Examples:
How will I pray?
Commit to Morning Prayer; Read the Psalms; Schedule time for Confession; Examination of Conscience; Pray for your enemies
What will I fast?
Eliminate distractions—busy-ness, talking; Rid yourself of unhealthy dependencies/indulgences as a means of renewing our dependency on God
How will I give?
Commit to serving the church, the poor or your family; Budget for generosity; Tithe faithfully; Host Sabbath meals
Confession
Consider participating in confession during Lent. Email Fr. Gary to schedule a time to meet.
Fasting
Because we are embodied, fasting is a tactile reminder of our creatureliness and our dependence. It’s a way to reveal what masters us. Whenever the longing of your appetite pulls you to the thing you’re fasting from, remember that with the same desire and tangible feeling, we ought to be fleeing sin and seeking God. Fasting should bring attention to your frailty, but should ultimately focus on God’s grace in your weakness.
Reasons to Fast
Physical hungering corresponds with spiritual expectation, longing.
Fasting aids the “liberation from the tyranny of the flesh.”
Healing does not come by separating the soul from the body, but through our body.
Types of Fasts
Ascetical Fasts
related to spiritual needs
maintained throughout Lent, even on Sundays
Examples: alcohol, media, sugar, caffeine, sleep (waking up extra early), meat
Fr. Alex composed a weekly guide to ascetical fasts with a different/additional fast for each week of Lent, download it here.
Total Abstinence Fasts
fast from all food until sundown
the church participates together in these fasts on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday
Sunday Eucharist
Sunday worship looks different during Lent and we aim to approach it with a different posture:
We renew the art of repentance and seek that which has become unnoticeable in worship and our lives
We practice simplicity and quiet contemplation
eliminate bells, altar flowers and alleluias
maintain quiet in the sanctuary by keeping conversations to the narthex and coffee area.
The liturgical color purple and a chanted Psalm
A season of sacrifice requires us to rightly order the place of the Eucharist in our lives.
If you have a choice between coming to church and other plans, what will it take for you to choose church?
A common journey—participation is a commitment to each other, a corporate proclamation of value.