Holy and Blessed Lent

As we prepared to burn the blessed palms to produce ashes for Wednesday of last week, the Presider read:  Each year we observe the season of Lent with prayer, penitence, and acts of generosity, so that we may come to the Easter feast ready to renew once more the commitment of our Baptism, which gives us life.  What a very helpful sentence – it casts Lent into the best possible light, I believe.

Many of us have experienced Lent, as given to us by the Church, as a rather dour, dark, and foreboding time, imbued with sombre images and hymns, often accompanied by self-denial – the giving up of something, the more exotic the better!

Thankfully, particularly over the last couple of generations, Lent has been somewhat redeemed. Lent has always been, since the earliest days, a time of preparation and a time of fasting, as we all get ourselves ready for Baptism (usually on Easter Eve) and to welcome the Easter feast. Unfortunately, through a number of factors over the last several decades, the season (the word lent derives from an old English word meaning ‘lengthen’), has taken on an almost overwhelming character of moroseness, liturgical minimalism, and all sorts of ‘dos’ and don’ts’.

There was a long list of things you could not have, do, practice, or enjoy during Lent. And the ever present question: ‘what are you giving up for Lent this year?’ And all this cheerlessness while the days are, as the word suggests, lengthening – more light, more soft air, more relief and joy!

The giving up of things seemed to have totally eclipsed the generous sense of preparation which Lent really is all about.  While I can admire the selflessness which is evident in denying oneself something important and enjoyable during this 40+ day season, it is much more meaningful for me to think in terms of doing something or keeping something these days rather than jettisoning something. It could involve reading more of the Bible, or perhaps some really good commentary on the text; possibly learning about one of the many challenges which face us as a society and the ways in which we might help; taking on a new volunteer activity; committing oneself to regular and robust prayer each day.

So, a Holy Lent might be composed of doing something more or new rather than giving something up.  In that can the generosity of preparing for Easter be well exhibited and taken to heart. Give something up – take something on – do it all with generosity and good cheer.

Enjoy and maybe even immerse yourself in the goodness and joy of this special season.

May you experience a holy and blessed Lent.

The Very Rev’d Peter Wall
Interim Dean and Priest-in-Charge