Lenten Practices

With ashes imposed and the Great Litany prayed, Lent is upon us. I must confess that in many ways, Lent is my favorite season of the Church year. As we tend to meander along through the year, Lent serves as a giant "stop" sign, forcing us to consider our next steps.

Lent is about being conscious and attentive to our relationship with God and one another. The various practices of Lent are focused on increasing our awareness and consciousness. Prayer, self-denial and study have long been part of this holy season.

Prayer is somewhat obvious. It is about maintaining an ongoing conversation with God. Prayer is not only speaking, but it is also listening. I suspect few of us take the time to listen. Try making some quiet time that you might hear the whispers of God.

Self-denial is probably the most misunderstood practice of Lent. We tend to equate it with punishment, which could not be less helpful. Self-denial is about recognizing the ways we willfully satiate ourselves to mask the reality of the human condition. We gorge, literally and metaphorically, to avoid feelings of emptiness and isolation. Lent is the perfect time to remove the anesthesia, and look for God to fill the emptiness we mask in so many unproductive ways.

Finally, study is a hallmark of lenten devotion. Historically, Lent was a time of preparation for Baptism. Converts spent the season, leaving worship before the Eucharist to receive instruction in the mysteries, and then received communion at the Great Vigil of Easter. The Church still has plenty of mystery to contemplate. Hopefully, many will attend our book study or commit to another form of inquiry.

Times and traditions change. Yet, there is substance underneath changing forms and practices. My prayer for us is that we mine for substance and grow in awareness, consciousness and faith.