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So what about LENT?
The above is a brief synopsis on what Lent is and has come to be for many Christians. I pulled the above from wiki-pedia and, for a change, it is surprisingly accurate. So, there you have it. In February, we enter into this time of preparation, beginning on Ash Wednesday and ending on the Saturday before Easter. Have a lovely Lenten season! Oh wait, I almost forgot. This little article, and one like it that would sum up this liturgical season in a paragraph, have forgotten one important item. And that is the practice of giving something up for Lent. Now, that practice is a human- designed one that many people adhere to, but it is not simply about not eating chocolate or not drinking soda for six weeks. There is a theme there. What is it? Why, sacrifice of course! Yes, Lent is about introspection and preparation, but sacrifice is the main idea.
What does sacrifice mean for us today? Well, giving something up can be a part of it, if that floats your boat. But I would say that maybe adding something spiritual might be more of a sacrifice for a lot of us. For instance, try adding fifteen minutes a day for prayer and reading. Try adding a couple of hours a week to go and feed homeless folks. Try adding church each week, regardless of who is in town, or your being a little tired. Try going to a mid-week Lenten service each week of Lent. All of these things are sacrifices, because they are not commonplace in our every day life. They are something that you normally would not do.
Sacrifice is a primary theme of the Christian journey. After all, we are called to
“die” to our old selves when we take Christ as our Lord. So, during this upcoming season of Lent, don’t go with the norm. It’s easy to give up soda because, frankly, you can just replace it with something else. But taking something on, giving of yourself, that is something that takes true sacrifice and focus. May we all focus this Lenten season on the journey toward the cross and ultimately the empty tomb. Christ sacrificed. We should a little bit, too.
Blessings to you in the season of preparation.
Jason
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