“Lent” What a strange, archaic and religious sounding word!
It is a forty day time of year in the Christian calendar. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lent] It isn’t a celebration in the sense that we normally think about celebrations like Christmas, Easter, anniversaries and birthdays etc. It has to do with acknowledging our need of God and his love, help and guidance. Many Christians give up something during Lent. Perhaps that is why Lent isn’t as well known or observed. It is often chocolate or some other pleasure. It has been suggested recently that we might try giving up one or more of our electronic gadgets.
Lent is an opportunity to take a look at our lives from the larger perspective, through God’s eyes. To refocus on what is important, and clear away some of the clutter and distractions of our busy, technologically blitzed and overwhelming lives. It helps us value who God is for us in his Son and his Spirit, that will be celebrated at Easter and Pentecost.
The Anglicans have always been good at finding helpful words and prayers for times like these. Take the following from their “Book of Prayer” for the preface to Lent;
We confess to you, Lord, all our past unfaithfulness: the
pride, hypocrisy, and impatience of our lives,
We confess to you, Lord.
Our self-indulgent appetites and ways, and our exploitation
of other people,
We confess to you, Lord.
Our anger at our own frustration, and our envy of those
more fortunate than ourselves,
We confess to you, Lord.
Our intemperate love of worldly goods and comforts, and
our dishonesty in daily life and work,
We confess to you, Lord.
Our negligence in prayer and worship, and our failure to
commend the faith that is in us,
We confess to you, Lord.
[http://www.bcponline.org/SpecialDays/ashwed.html]
There are a couple of excellent articles you might want to read for further insights into the purpose and value of Lent, particularly concerning the communal benefits of worship that Lent and other Christian celebrations provide.
Lent Gives Way to Technology Fast
You are more than welcome to join us at any of our services and celebrations
on Sunday mornings at 10am, at Mornington Community Church,
10 Binnalong Road, Mornington.
