What Should or Could We Be Doing During Lent?

“But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” - Matthew 6:16-18 

It seems like Christmas was only over about a week ago, and yet we have already entered the Lenten season. However, our family recently had dinner with friends who may not have received the memo because their Christmas tree is still up. 

Just like my friends who seem super-duper “Christmasy,” many folks grew up super-duper “Catholicy.” Perhaps like me, you fall into that latter category. 

Growing up Catholic comes with a set of distinct characteristics and practices. Abstaining from meat on Fridays during Lent was one. Emerging from the confessional with a rushed three “Hail Mary’s” and a “Glory Be” on your lips might have been another. If you went to a Catholic school like me, you were probably surrounded by peers who proudly boasted the namesake of some great saint. In my class, there were more than a few Mary’s and an ample handful of girls with the middle name Ann. 

And Oh! Does anyone else recall the great imposition of Catholic guilt? 

I must confess that the infamously troubling catholic guilt has both haunted and motivated me throughout the years. The same haunting guilt that drove me to the Sunday church “obligation,” also motivated me back into the church when I moved away from home as a teenager and was living a reckless lifestyle. 

And every year, when Lent comes, I still wonder what I should give up. 

As a good catholic boy, I would faithfully give something up so that the priests and nuns (and of course, GOD) would be pleased and not punish me. And so, my Lenten boycott of beets and brussels sprouts was my own annual mecca towards spiritual renewal, albeit feigned. 

I am at least partially convinced that the old Lenten discipline is somewhat valuable. And it appears there is some solidarity among others who are giving up things of their own. Self-denial seems to foster a camaraderie of staying strong in the face of temptation. 

After all, I reasoned, beets are indeed delicious… to somebody! 

In preparation for serious reflection upon the Lord’s cross and his victorious resurrection from the dead, many Christians practice an outward Lenten observance. Recent history has revealed that Evangelicals are not typically first in line to observe Lent, perhaps in part because we have proudly built-in tradition meters designed to keep us from what might be perceived as too much Roman Catholic structure. We submit that these things ought to be practiced secretly because unlike our catholic friends, we evangelical protestants are humble… right? 

Perhaps as we perceive our own great humility, we risk becoming proud of our humility. 

Historically, Lent has been a period set aside by worshipers to reflect upon the significance of Christ’s work on the cross in light of their desperate need for grace, mercy, and forgiveness. The observance of Lent is usually accompanied by things like fasting, prayer, mourning, self-denial, and repenting over sin. Some view it as a historic reminder of Jesus’ humbling time in the desert before entering public ministry. 

Evangelical protestants on the other hand might traditionally ask, “Why bother with another special time, isn’t every day a good time to practice these things? And of course, they would be right - it is ALWAYS a good time to practice humility and prayer. As Christians, we ought to submit to reflection upon our sin daily. Christ’s cross, fervent prayer, a holy lifestyle, and self-denial should not be confined solely to the 40 days of Lent. 

But there is biblical wisdom in setting aside times of special observance and dedication for our personal and corporate growth. 

Before trying to decide whether to observe Lent or any holiday perhaps we could consider a few things: 

• Does the observance of Lent in any way promote false doctrine, superstition, or immorality? (Galatians 5:19-23) 

• Does the holiday observance provide opportunity for true thanksgiving? (1Thessalonians 5:16-18) 

• Will observing Lent (or any other holiday) render harm to our Christian witness? (Philippians 2:15) 

While these few considerations do not represent exhaustive reflection, it may be helpful to begin here. As Christ followers, above all else, we should faithfully keep Biblical truth in full view. 

Reflecting on these things for the forty days leading up to Easter gives us an opportunity to be reminded of their daily import. Gathering around the Lord’s table on Sunday, for example, serves as a perfect opportunity to ponder these truths. 

Since the command to especially pray, fast, and observe the 40 days before Easter is nowhere explicitly commanded in the Bible, and since the Bible is our standard for living, evangelical protestants might be tempted to believe that it logically follows to throw off the Lenten observance altogether, but perhaps this takes things a bit too far. If we followed this argument consistently; then we would also stop observing Christmas because celebrating the birth of Jesus as an obligation is also never explicitly commanded in Scripture. We are almost certainly not ready to adopt that standard. 

As brothers and sisters in Christ here at Orchard Hill Church, we might consider encouraging one another in some of these rich traditions; not because they make us holy in and of themselves, but because through humble and earnest prayer we might be driven to our knees before the cross and learn to submit ourselves more fully to Christ, His Word, and His people. Let us take the time to pray for each other’s specific needs as we approach Easter. This requires relationship, and relationship requires time. Perhaps we can take advantage of this time to encourage and pray for each other openly since Christ calls us to: 

“walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” - Ephesians 5:2