February 18th is Ash Wednesday , the start of Lent. On that day, I will, in the words of the Prayer Book, “invite you... to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God's holy Word.” This journey through Lent is intended for our blessing, but it’s possible for Lent to unintentionally become a burden. Here are some lessons from my mistakes:
I need the right reason. There’s only 1 good reason to practice the spiritual disciplines. It’s not to make God love me more. It’s not to prove to myself or God or anyone else that I have heroic virtue. (One year I gave up coffee for Lent and became not more holy but more cranky.) The 1 healthy reason to practice disciplines is to make more space in our lives for God. That’s why I like “subtraction-addition” disciplines, where we give up something to add something. For example, Karen has sometimes given up for Lent listening to music or radio in the car (subtraction) so she gains that time to pray (addition). One year, I gave up Starbucks mochas (subtraction) and gave the money I saved to an organization serving the poor (addition).
I need breathers. The church provides these during Lent every Sunday, the day of resurrection. If you give up, say, chocolate or social media for Lent, it’s not cheating to enjoy those on Sunday. Healthy enjoyment on the Sabbath says, “Even greater than my sin is the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”
I need creativity. There is usually more than 1 way to practice a discipline. The way you do it must fit you and your stage of life now, not as you wish it to be. Take fasting. We think of fasting as going without any food. But in the Eastern Orthodox churches, which fast well over 100 days per year, believers don’t fast from all food, but from meat, dairy, eggs, and wine–close to a vegan diet. Other Christians practice a “Daniel fast”--essentially a vegetarian diet. With my Parkinson’s, I can no longer fast for a full day, but I can delay a meal by a few hours; or even harder, fast from using my phone.
I need to do something. As soon as I consider any discipline, my mind spins off 14 reasons why I can’t do that. It’s just the “whiny kid” part of myself explaining why he shouldn’t have to do homework.
I need others. During Lent, other Christians help me keep going; reassure me when I fail to keep the disciplines I JUST SET; and confess with me every week, “We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.” Then, when Easter Vigil comes, they help me to sing and dance with joy.