One of the outstanding aspects of churches who have maintained tradition is our understanding of pilgrimage. We even have a church season of pilgrimage know as Lent. A pilgrimage is a journey into deeper relationship with God. A pilgrimage is a journey into deeper relationship with God. Sometimes this is a visit to a special holy place sometimes the journey is more of heart and soul than legs and feet.

During Lent we journey with Jesus form beginning ministry through testing in the wilderness to the sacrifice of Good Friday to the resurrection. This pilgrimage is open to anyone who decides to follow Jesus through the desert. It is an adventure of self-discovery through reprioritizing and denial of security found in the self.

It is-of course-easy to trivialize Lent be settling for our own goals rather than the dreams Jesus has for us. Since we live in a society over focused on body image some people embark on reduced consumption of food (and alcohol) with the idea that they will feel better about themselves. As long as this is not carried to extremes, there is nothing wrong with such practices. In fact-there are significant physical health benefits. 

But as followers of Jesus, we are meant to be focused on spiritual health. So our Lenten practice strives to be on purpose and practical ways of furthering our journey. 

Sometimes this means “giving up” and sometimes this means “taking on”. Frequently there is giving up in order to take on. For example some people decide to send money they would have spent on food at a meal to help feed other people. Some people decide to “convert” some of their time spent watching television (or recreation on the computer) to prayer and/or spiritual reading. For some people living with less during Lent allows them to be more giving. 

For many of us deciding how to spend (invest) our time and money during Lent is a positive a “want to” not a negative an “ought to”. Please understand I am not minimizing or trivializing Lenten disciplines. (A “discipline” is the practice of a “disciple” one who is learning).

So at the beginning of Lent, on behalf of the church I will invite us all to the observance of a Holy Lent. (Remember that the word “Holy” means set apart-reserved for-Gods purpose and dream). 

The invitation to the adventure of Lent is to the entire community because we do grow together and impact and encourage each other. If your observance of Lent and my observance of Lent is God directed, then it will benefit all of us.

So where are you journeying to this Lent? What practices will you adopt for these forty days of desert adventure? Christians have long practiced abstaining from richer food and other luxuries; giving alms to the poor; more time (and intensity) in prayer; expanded spiritual reading-the Bible and spiritually nurturing and challenging books; and attendance at worship with other Christians. Don’t forget Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, etc. I’m sure throughout our congregation there are more and better ideas than occur to me. However, I would count it a privilege to chat with you about your plans for the observance of a Holy Lent.

In Christ’s Love,

Bill  

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