Have a miserable Lent - Rector's Rambling for March 10, 2019

I saw a t-shirt for sale that said “have a miserable Lent”.  I chuckled and shared it on my Facebook wall, but with the caveat that I think quite the opposite.  I want people to have a “happy” Lent, and in fact have wished people just that.

It sounds like an oxymoron – “happy” and “Lent”, but if we remember that the word for happy comes from the same root word as “blessed”, then it certainly is the right greeting!

Lent is a great blessing, even if it is hard and time consuming.  It is supposed to be.  But even more so, it is an opportunity for us to be honest with ourselves about the state of our souls so that we can make inroads toward true blessedness.  True blessedness leads to holiness.  Lent is only miserable because sin doesn’t want us to let go of our habits, and also doesn’t like to be disciplined.  But knowing that it is good for us, and is making us better, can help us go into it and through it with a good attitude.

Please take advantage of the many extra opportunities at St. John’s this Lent, especially our Tuesday evenings and Friday lunchtime offerings.  Additionally, much of the Lenten discipline done by you in the secret of our house and heart.  Be sure to refer to our brochure The Observance of an Holy Lent.

Most popular, of course, is “giving something up for Lent”.  In recent years we have had a spate of “but Sunday’s don’t count as Lent” so they can have/do what they have given up.  But I promise you, giving it up from now until Easter, including Sundays, is the idea of the matter, not some sort of parsing of the law.  You will see the difference this sense of accomplishment achieves.

Also, remember that if it is something sinful in your life, you shouldn’t be “giving it up for Lent”, you should be giving it up altogether!  Remember that giving it up for Lent is about giving up something that you like or enjoy in order to be reminded that you can live without it, that you have control over your body and passions, and to give you a greater appreciation for what it is that you have and God has blessed for you.  The goal is to be reminded of your ability to say no to the good and the bad if it is for the glory of God.

Let us be serious about the training of our hearts and souls this Lent, that we may become the saints that Jesus wants us to be!