 I grew up in a predominately Roman Catholic context in Eastern Ontario.
Each year at about this time, I can remember various friends and family
members asking, "What are you giving up for Lent?" I didn't think much
of the question, being a non-observant Protestant at the time. As I
came to faith in Christ, in an evangelical sense, and then wandered off
to ministry training and pastoring, the question seemed even less
relevant. Of late, however, the wisdom of the ancients has found a
place in my meditations.
Ash Wednesday is the beginning of
the 40 day (46 day if you count Sundays) period of repentance and
humility leading up to Easter. This is meant to be a season of quiet
introspection, a time of giving up luxury and addictions, for the sake
of a closer walk with Christ. Lent is a movable fast (dates change from
year to year), and Ash Wednesday is the starting gate. In Roman
Catholic, Anglican, and other traditions, the service or mass on Ash
Wednesday includes the spreading of ashes onto one's forehead, sometimes
in the shape of a cross. In ancient days in the middle east, throwing
ashes on one's head was a sign of grieving and repentance. That
tradition was picked up in the Roman period of the church.
So, what are you giving up for Lent? A
season of introspection and humbling one's self doesn't sound like a bad
idea. Those ancients just may have been on to something. Have you sins
for which you are grieved? Why not make them right (even if you are
reading this and its not Ash Wednesday)? Are you coming out of a winter
of excess, a winter of too much self and too much indulgence? This is a
perfect time and a good reason to refocus, to set aside the addictions
and selfishness and luxuries that hinder a closer relationship with God.
While not a mandated celebration, according to the Bible, still not a
bad idea. What are you giving up for Lent?
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