Lent.
A season when
skipping chocolate
or coffee
makes you holy.
Except it doesn’t even though we like to pretend that it does. We are a society of doers who want something to show for our sacrifices. We want weight loss or better health. We want clearer minds or increased knowledge. We want to get to the end of this liturgical season and have something to show for our time.
But this is not what Lent is about.
Lent is more than a personal call to holiness, Lent is a communal call to action. We fast. We pray. We give alms. We act together for 40 days in the hopes that once Easter arrives, we have collectively moved this world just a bit closer to heaven.
I poked fun at our tendency to give up chocolate and coffee, but sacrificing something special to us holds weight. If the right sacrifice is chosen, foregoing these daily treats remind us of the unnoticed sacrifices others make for us, not to mention Jesus’ overwhelming sacrifice on the cross. So, these sacrifices do bring holiness, if we recognize them in the context of community.
We are days away from Ash Wednesday, and per usual, I have no idea what I am giving up, but I do have an idea of what I can do to help bring our church just a smidgen closer to heaven. Anti-racist work.
Over the season of Lent, I’ll be sharing this journey with you, elevating voices of Black people who are impacting me, researching the anti-racist work my diocese is engaged in (if it even is) and writing letters to my Bishop and pastors to encourage traction on this work, and donating to organizations who work to provide equity for our BIPOC neighbors.
Lent.
A season when
fasting
prayer
almsgiving
Together
and with purpose
is what matters.
I would love to hear your plans for the season!
god forever tries 
Well,Holly, you got me thinking………………I reviewed in my mind all the different ways I celebrated? honored? observed? evaded?Lent during my lifetime.I did a lot of the basic things, but I think often in a minimal manner, depending on the circumstances at the time. Living on base at China Lake we were excused from some of the restrictions and I took advantage of that, although some years I was more observant than others. I do recall that the girls and I met at the Chapel on Lenten Friday afternoons for Statiaons and Mass. I recall that I made an effort to Fast—except primarily that meant non eating between meals. Now, of course, my age frees me of all restrictions except the meat rules—but that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t try to do something. I’m thinking about it—but it is too late tonight to spend more time, so thinking and writing will continue tomorrow.
Love you SO MUCH, GmaEl
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