Celebrating Lent

"What are you giving up for Lent?"

That's the question on everyone's lips right now. Of course, as I write this, Mardi Gras is in full effect in cities all over the world, as people indulge one last time before their Lenten sacrifices and fasts. But the question is still there: "What are you giving up for Lent?"

I used to say, "I'm a Baptist; I'm giving up self-denial for Lent." But then I stopped to think about it, and I pretty much gave that up a long time ago (as did many of my fellow Baptists — "rare as a Baptist sermon on gluttony" is a common expression in some places, and it's unfortunately quite true). And lately, I've been giving a lot of thought to the Church Calendar, and how it might not be a bad idea to 'celebrate' some of the lesser-known church holidays. I've been remembering Maundy Thursday for almost three years now, so I figured it was time to expand my own liturgical calendar. And what better time than Lent?

But what to give up?

The more I thought about it, the more I realized that the idea of self-sacrifice, while noble and worthwhile, was beginning to overshadow what Lent was all about. It seems that Christians are very good at creating ceremonies that end up overshadowing the event commemorated. The purpose of Lent is to prepare the observant for Holy Week. It has always been designed to be a time of contemplation, worship, and prayer leading up to the celebration of Christ's resurrection; fasting and "self-sacrifice" was never a means unto itself, but a part of the prayer and worship that went into the season. The denial was intended to remind you to pray — rather than do whatever you're giving up, you pray, or meditate. Historically, the fasts have been proscribed by church officials and canon law in the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church, rather than being voluntary. Dietary restrictions are frequently enforced — which is why many fast food restaurants run specials on their fish sandwiches during Lent.

Article Author: Warren Kelly

Warren Kelly is currently taking time off from his seminary studies to earn an MAT from Liberty University. He also runs the View From the Pew blog, the Pew Reviews review site, and the currently on hiatus View From the Pew Radio podcast.

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