The last time I actually had a Lent where I participated fully in things like Ash Wednesday and Holy Week was 2008 — in other words, before I had Daniel. In 2009 during my pregnancy with him, I was too sick to go to Ash Wednesday and Palm Sunday. He was born on the Tuesday of Holy Week so any Tridiuum activities were also effectively off the table. The next year, I did make Ash Wednesday but I was incredibly depressed after the move to California and stayed at my in-laws’ house with Daniel while Jon went to Holy Week. Last year, I had a child in the PICU on Ash Wednesday though I did half-heartedly make the effort to be there for Wednesday soup suppers (though I never stayed for worship afterwards). I made it for Palm Sunday but Holy Week didn’t exactly happen other than staying for a little bit of Maundy Thursday.
So… I’ve been puzzling on what my Lenten thing will be and I seem to have come upon the idea of extra blogging on faith things as my discipline. Lately, my blog has been all about The Simple Woman’s Daybook and Quick Takes which means that I’m not really blogging enough. So… from Ash Wednesday onward, I’ll be posting on faith issues under the category “Occupying Lent”. (Why yes, the name was inspired/stolen from the Occupy Lent on the Twitter. How ever did you figure that out??? BTW, thank you to Kate for introducing me to it.) I’ll still be doing my weekly memes but I think this extra posting will be a good discipline for me.
Oh yeah… there’s also the no meat on Ash Wednesday/Fridays/fast between 12-3 on Good Friday thing. I thought about giving up meat for all of Lent but I need the protein a bit too much. Giving it up on Fridays is hard enough because I usually go to the local sushi/teryaki place to eat and read in peace and their lunch special is some sort of teryaki meat. My anniversary falls on a Friday this year so that should also be interesting.
Before I close, I’d like to point out that I’m Lutheran and none of this is required for me. 🙂 I take on Lenten disciplines for the simple reason of growing close to Jesus during this season.
One thing I love about Lent is that even though it’s sort of a Catholic thing, it allows for great work to be done by even non-Christians. Last year my agnostic/atheistic friend, and my born-and-raised-Bible-thumping-Baptist (who has, since adulthood, become much more reasonable 😉 friend both joined me in fast & abstinence.
Even for people who don’t believe in Jesus, self-denial, contemplation, and reflection are all tools to make us better people.
I love Lent. 40 days is a great trial run for lifestyle changes of the spiritual, physical, and economical variety. It’s a perfect amount of time to start or break habits. And – as you said, it pulls us closer to Jesus.
I sincerely believe that happens even if the person doesn’t believe in Jesus – they believe in Love and they believe in Goodness, and so practicing selflessness is going to draw them closer to the Ultimate Example of Love and Goodness, even if they don’t know that’s what’s going on.
Hmm. This is an interesting train of thought for me 🙂 I might have to invite a guest post from my agnostic/atheistic friend.
Anyway, marvelous post! I look forward to sharing the journey with you 🙂
I am really looking forward to your series and I admire that you are choosing to sacrifice even though “you don’t have to.” I believe that is exactly what Jesus is asking us to do always. And really, you probably have a better attitude and handle on it than those of us who “have to.”
On a side note, I really enjoyed your post recently about the Catholic Church and promoting Natural Family Planning. It was very honest and truthful and I think it also represents the feelings of some of those Catholics in the 98% and quite possibly those in the 2% (though they might never admit it out loud).
Good luck to you in your Lenten journey.
And growing closer to God is why we’re all supposed to do it. I’ve got 3 radio interviews set up in the next ten days on my Lent book, and that’s going to be my #1 point on all of them. It’s too easy to do things for all the wrong reasons and miss the point altogether.
Welcome to Lent! I think Lent/Advent are wonderfully unifying times for Christians because we can all prepare to celebrate Christ’s resurrection/birth. I hope this year that your Lent is much happier and peaceful than your previous ones.
I like how you’re motivated to take on Lenten disciplines of your own initiative, not because you’re “required to.” I also thought I should continue posting on faith throughout Lent, and sharing the journey with everyone (even though blogging can be a drag sometimes). I look forward to your Lent series!
P.S. Good luck on the no-meat Fridays… it seems like the hardest part of that is remembering what day of the week it is!