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Lent 2025: Reflection March 6

 "In recent years, Lent has resurged in importance among mainline Protestant churches and has even seen renewal among Protestants. In a time that some call the “post-Christian era,” many evangelicals have gained a new appreciation for the Church Liturgical Calendar, and for a season to reflect on their need for the cross and to prepare their hearts to celebrate Christ’s resurrection. For all faithful observers, Lent is about Jesus and what he did. “You could observe 1,000 Lents,” says Eric Ferris, founder of the Lent Experience, “and it won’t ever accomplish in your life what the cross of Jesus has.” Whether Christians observe Lent or not, what really matters is our embrace of Christ crucified and the empty tomb."

This is from an essay by Chris Hunt at https://groundworkonline.com/blog/a-short-version-of-the-long-history-of-lent  I am going to be returning to it. 

If Lent is about trying to impress somebody, get over yourself, as we used to say. That's nonsense--no one is impressed by your Lenten observance. If it is a tool to help you confess sin and spend time embracing Christ crucified and the empty tomb. 

My choice to think through Lent is about a desire to self-examine.  (I haven't given up much but media consumption, mostly a certain news station, probably for the rest of my life because they threw Zelenskyy under the bus after he appeared on their shows)

Lent is an attitude, not a ritual. It is about moving toward something, not giving up something.

More on that. 

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