The Observance of a Holy Lent

(Lent for Dummies)

As Christians in the tradition of the Episcopal Church, we are all called, in the name of the Church, "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."

ü FAST FACTS:

  • Lent is a time of spiritual preparation for the great celebration of Easter.
  • Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. It lasts 40 days (not counting Sundays) and ends on Holy Saturday, the day before Easter.
  • The liturgical color for Lent is purple signifying Jesus’ reign in the Kingdom of God. Purple has also been called "mitigated black", signifying the somber, penitential character of Lent.
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    AT A MINIMUM, everyone’s observance of Lent should include:

  • Attending corporate worship on Ash Wednesday, every Sunday in Lent, every day in Holy Week, especially Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.
  • Keeping the fasts of Ash Wednesday and Good Friday (for all who are medically able). Eat simply, avoiding red meat. A more rigorous fast avoids all meat. A strict fast permits only juice and clear liquids until after sundown.
  • The adoption of some intentional Lenten discipline. Some suggestions are listed below. Choose at least one or develop one of your own. A thorough observance of Lent might include one from each category.
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    SELF-EXAMINATION AND REPENTANCE

  • Prepare for and make a personal, private confession with a priest. Most priests, including the Rector, are eager to be available for this sacramental rite (by appointment). Reconciliation: Preparing for Confession in the Episcopal Church by Martin L. Smith (Cowley Publications) is an excellent guide.
  • Use the Litany of Penitence (p. 267 in the Book of Common Prayer) as a guide to list and identify your specific sins. Offer repentance for these sins within the context of the General Confession in corporate worship during Lent.
  • On a daily basis read: (1) The Ten Commandments (BCP, p. 350), or (2) Psalm 51:1-18 (BCP, p. 656) or A Song of Penitence, Canticle 14 (BCP, p. 90).
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    PRAYER, FASTING AND SELF-DENIAL

  • Pray daily using Morning and/or Evening Prayer in the Book of Common Prayer. Or, pray daily using some portion of the Daily Devotions for Individuals and Families (BCP, p. 136). Include the parish intercessions as part of your prayers. Daily Collects and Scripture Readings for Lent (see pamphlet) may be used, or the regular Daily Office Lectionary (BCP, p. 934).
  • Pray daily, using just the Daily Collects and Scripture Readings for Lent.
  • Pray the Psalms. In the Book of Common Prayer (p. 585), they are divided into sections: First Day, Morning Prayer; First Day, Evening Prayer; etc.
  • Spend ten minutes a day in meditation or unstructured prayer.
  • Keep a prayer journal during Lent, making daily entries of your intercessions and thanksgivings for that day.
  • Be intentional about praying grace over meals or pray one of the Prayers for Personal Life (Nos. 57-62, BCP, pp. 832-833) every night before sleep.
  • Keep any of the fasts described for Ash Wednesday and Good Friday on all of the Fridays in Lent. Or fast from red meat or all meat throughout Lent.
  • Give up something or some practice in your life that squanders life’s goodness or wastes life’s giftedness. Give up whatever you do to "kill time."
  • Give up a luxury… alcohol, dessert, "gourmet" coffee, television.
  • Put aside a certain amount of money each day… $5.00/day, $1.00/day, all the change in your pocket… At the end of Lent contribute the money to an organization that helps people in need.
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    READING AND MEDITATING ON GOD’S HOLY WORD

  • Read the Gospels, one chapter each day.
  • Participate in the Lenten study series on Wednesday evenings.
  • Participate in the Lenten program offered by the Episcopal Public Policy Network (EPPN): Care of Creation, For the Beauty of the Earth. Available on the EPPN website or as daily e-mails if you join EPPN. http://episcopalchurch.org/climate.
  • Use the Lenten devotional guide produced by Episcopal Relief and Development: Seeking to Serve, A Lenten Exploration of the Millennium Development Goals (available in the church and undercroft).
  • Use the Lenten guide produced by Forward Movement: 40 Days of Lent: Different Shoes, a Common Path. Reflections on the daily office lectionary written by a prisoner. "The lives of prisoners are parables of Lent." Available from Forward Movement, www.forwardmovement.org or 1-800-543-1813.
  • Use the daily devotional, Forward Day by Day (available in the back of the church).
  • Read something by C. S. Lewis or Madeleine L’Engel or any other book that will help enrich your faith and devotion.

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    "You are my beloved; with you I am well pleased"

    …modified from the Gospel for the Last Sunday after the Epiphany

    "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return."

    …from the Liturgy for Ash Wednesday