Lent Update

We are coming to the end of February and approaching the start of Lent.  Christians originally used this as a period of prebaptismal preparation, later of public penance. Finally, it became a forty-day devotional preparation for Easter traditionally based on Jesus’ wilderness fast.  The Anglican Book of Alternate Services (BAS) Ash Wednesday liturgy invites us “to observe a holy Lent by self-examination, penitence, prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, and by reading and meditating on the word of God. 

Over time this developed into “giving something up” for Lent; including fasting (reduced food, perhaps one meal a day) and abstinence (no meat).  More recently some church leaders have suggested “taking something on” for Lent. There are a number of devotionals geared to the season (see below).  Possibilities you could consider include: spending time with God on a more regular basis; in prayer, Bible reading, more regular attendance at worship services, attendance at additional services, such our Wednesday mid-week Eucharist, and participation in a Bible Study, such as our “Road to Coronation” series.

The “Road to Coronation” series is a combination video and workbook examination of the Passion Narrative in each of the Gospels.  Each week there is a video by Harry Wendt of Crossways International and time for discussion of questions included in the workbook.  It is intended to be “a fresh encounter with our Risen Lord and Servant-Messiah, who calls us still today to find life by giving it away.”

Another tradition which is connected to Lent is Shrove Tuesday.  It is the last day before the more serious, penitential season of Lent.  In some countries this led to “carnival” or “Mardi Gras”.  In other countries the desire to use up (and not waste) rich, fatty foods; such as milk, eggs, bacon and sausage, led to feasting, with pancakes and similar dishes.