When I asked “What do you know about Lent?” from an admittedly small sample size, here are some of the responses I gathered:
“Absolutely nothing—you give something up, right? It’s just never been important to me.” - Levi Tucker
“People eat fish…?” - Benjamin Streets
“Same as Levi” - Tim Pardigon
These responses did not surprise me, since the church calendar is not something that gets a lot of attention or airtime here at the flagship school of the PCA. However, knowing that three out of the four largest denominations in the world (namely the Roman Catholic Church, The Anglican Communion, and the Eastern Orthodox Church) observe the church calendar, along with several more liturgical Protestant denominations, leads me to believe in its merit.
As an Anglican myself, I bundled up several Wednesdays ago and trekked down to Shadowlands in order to make it to an 8:30 Ash Wednesday morning service. But what exactly is Ash Wednesday, Sloane? What does it mark and why is it important? I'm so glad you asked.
Ash Wednesday begins the forty-day period known to the church as Lent. This is a season that has been formally observed since the First Council of Nicea as a time of penitence and fasting in remembrance of Jesus’ temptations in the wilderness, and also as a way to practice lament and humility as spiritual disciplines. In the same way that Jesus fasted in the wilderness, people decide to fast from something they feel causes distraction from their relationship with the Lord. Some people choose social media, others specific foods. There is a stereotype of half-heartedly observing Lent by giving up something that you don’t like anyway, but that is certainly missing the heart of the season by taking the easy way out.
The other important thing to remember about Lent is that it is not simply fasting for fasting’s sake. We fast in order to be uniquely aware of our own sin, fallenness, and inability to do anything good apart from the grace of the Father. We fast in order to be fully focused and prepared, with excited expectation for Easter. When the forty days of Lent culminate in Easter morning, all fasts are broken and everyone is overjoyed and awed at the saving grace of Jesus.
I have heard it said, “You cannot feast until you have fasted,” and I believe this gets to the heart of why Lent is such a critical practice, at least in my life. I do not appreciate Easter as wholeheartedly when I have not gone through the process of examining my own heart and seeing its brokenness. I do not appreciate the work of the cross as fully until I try to do something good for even a day or two and fail miserably (yes, I think it could actually be considered part of the point to fail when you fast—do not be too discouraged!).
Turning to Jesus again and again when I find myself unable to complete the calling in front of me, and finding Him ever still receptive to me, is something the season of Lent facilitates wonderfully. I think it is an excellent practice, regardless of denominational background or experience. If you are interested in pursuing a Lenten practice, come chat with me! For more information, I would also commend the “Why and How to Practice Lent” episode of the Gravity Leadership Podcast, and the article “The Great Relief of Lent” by Kolby Kerr.