February 5, 2010
The Christian Journey
Instead of giving up something, why not add something of value?
BY FATHER JIM SAUER
The Lenten-Easter Season is quickly approaching. Once separated, the Liturgy now wants us to celebrate them as a combined Fifty Days. I say “once separated” because as children we sacrificed candy only to devour most of it on Easter Sunday to our tummy’s horror; or adults gave up alcohol or cigarettes for Lent only to imbibe or light up again on Easter. We never emphasized how Lent was calling us to change some aspect in our life “over the long haul” — something not “in sync” with following Christ. (If we could stop doing the “vice” for 40 days, then the good action may well be on the way to becoming a “virtue” which could continue on for another 40 days, and so forth.)
Many Catholics attend Mass on Ash Wednesday thinking it a Holy Day of Obligation. Ashes touch our spirits deeply. Other Christian traditions are rediscovering a spiritual meaning to ashes after not incorporating them into their public worship for over 500 years.
Originally, Lent began just one-week prior to Holy Saturday to prepare catechumens for baptism. Early Christians most likely saw the deeper connection of Lent with their baptismal commitment. The revival of the Rite of Election by the bishop of those being received into the Church on Holy Saturday throughout a diocese is helping to restore this connection for Catholics today. If you have never participated in this Rite, you may want to attend because the large number of people joining our church is an encouragement.
Last year my older sister sent me her husband’s Presbyterian weekly bulletin. His minister wrote, “Growing up Southern Baptist, we didn’t observe Lent. Lent was something those unusual creatures called ‘Catholics’ do. I knew Lent had something to do with eating fish instead of meat. That was the sum total of my knowledge!
“As I gravitated toward Presbyterianism, I noticed that most Presbyterian churches observed Lent. I began to practice a spiritual discipline most associated with the season: I would give up something valuable. One Lent I gave up carbonated [soft] drinks, which left me in the awkward position of having to drink beer at a baseball game with my wife’s family if I wanted a drink with my peanuts. My sister-in-law still ribs me about drinking a beer instead of a Coke for religious reasons! During another Lent, I abstained from caffeine. This was the grumpiest Lent ever; my family urged me daily to break my vow! However, I held firm! When Easter arrived, I drank an entire two-liter bottle of Mountain Dew!
“I discovered that John Calvin, who started all things Presbyterian, thought Lent was spiritualized superstition, with people thinking their Lenten sacrifices earned them favors before God. Calvin was not opposed to spiritual disciplines like prayer and fasting, but he thought Lent wrongly led people to assume their actions secured them points from God.
While I affirm Lent is a useful time of spiritual growth, I understand Calvin’s concern. I’m no longer convinced that Lent is best observed by giving up things like smoking, colas or caffeine. My concern is about adding something of value to my spiritual growth, something the Holy Spirit will use to continue his transforming work within me after Lent — a time of study or prayer, offering to help others, or a renewed commitment to worship God.
What is something of value the Lord might be inviting you to add to your spiritual life this Lent?
It seems that my brother minister in the Presbyterian Church has caught a glimpse of the true meaning of Lent, wouldn’t you agree?