Lent. Really?
03/09/2011
As many of you know today begins the 40 days known as Lent.
Traditionally, these are 40 days for the Christian to prepare themselves for Easter, the central point of our faith where the cornerstone of our faith suffered a brutal death and then rose again bringing life to those who would believe.
Why have we made it about chocolate?
Personally speaking, I find it hard to reconcile giving up chocolate (only to then gorge on it when the 40 days are up) with preparing ourselves for reflection on the crucifixion. Yes Jesus was tempted with food, and yes fasting is great to focus us on God but, and forgive me for being sceptical, I cant see how a yearly plan to diet from a favourite treat for a few weeks really prepares you. Its more like another chance to have a go at the New Year’s resolution. Better yourself, try and be thinner, make that diet stick. I cant see that being the point of the crucifixion.
So I asked some friends what they are doing- one is trying to do something new every day and learning verses. Given that this guy already works in a church I can safely assume that the new thing every day will be God focused. Also, I know the guy- God is his number one focus. Good man.
The second response I got was to memorise a full book of the Bible. No mean feat, this was presented by a father and as such can help father and son grow together. I like it.
My disclaimer- please dont assume im attacking everyone who decides that food/shopping/less magasines is their lenton activity. For some, these things truely are obstacles that need to be overcome and I fully support you in your endeavours, especially as some of you have mentioned to me that it would be a stumbling block. What I do not like is it becoming a fashionable activity that nobody really expects to get anything from.
So what am I doing? Im going to write. Every day I will try and write something new so by the end I should have 40 poems/extracts/thoughts.
I’ll try and get them up here when I can, but apart from phone internet, there are only a few moments such as now that I can get full access.
In closing I leave with a poem I wrote for last Lent, reflecting many thoughts as above and I offering sincere good wishes and encouragement to anyone, doing anything, who wishes to prepare for Easter and the actual message it brings.
“Lent”.
What can I bring to reveal my heart,
Forced out for all to see.
Bright eyes burn and lips move quick
In a second, to rate my worth.
What can I bring to show to them
That I take this seriously?
With cracked, raw hands and a heavy heart
I make my offering:
Retail abstinence and diet plans,
What has this become?
I weep and now give up this farce;
And decide to seek my Lord.
