Slideshow image

Lent

Many people associate Lent with the practice of “giving something up” like unhealthy foods or a bad habit. While these might be steps that connect us closer to God, they often become ends to themselves and are “shoulds” in our lives instead of ways we can grow in our faith.

 Lent is a time that redirects our sights, not to ourselves and the guilt we feel about our shortcomings, but instead to God, the One who creates us and calls us to bring our best selves for blessing – and our broken selves for forgiveness, healing and wholeness.  The 40-day journey to the cross and empty tomb is for the purpose of intentionally creating the space for healing and transformation.

 Lent, then, is a period of 40 days of intention: a time for deepening our relationship with God, taking stock of our relationship with God and others, evaluating where our lives are being spent, discerning whether we are on track with our life-giving vision, cleaning house, and re-committing to our Covenant with God and with one another.

Lenten spiritual practice is an opportunity to live and pray into a new way of being and thinking.

Lenten Practice

Fast from criticism, and feast on praise.

Fast from self-pity, and feast on joy.

Fast from ill-temper, and feast on peace.

Fast from resentment, and feast on contentment.

Fast from jealousy, and feast on humility.

Fast from pride, and feast on love.

Fast from selfishness, and feast on service.

Fast from fear, and feast on faith.