What’s the deal with (failing at) Lent?

What’s the deal with failing at Lent?

This is the question for today’s post. In our last installment, we looked at a more general look at Lent if you haven’t read that one, you should read it HERE first.

When it comes to Lent there are two kinds of people. People who are naturally disciplined people and keep all their commitments perfectly all the way through, and then there are the rest of us who make it through Lent sliding around like we’re walking on ice. Falling down and getting back up only to fall again. This is the crowd I’m addressing in this article.

If you’ve been perfect “lenting” so far, then maybe pray and ask God what additional thing you should give up. If it’s been easy, you haven’t given up the right thing/s. My theory is that you should be failing, we’ll come back to that in a bit.

For now, welcome to table all you who have failed. Let’s sit down and have a little talk about what we’re supposed to do when we fail at Lent.

There are two main temptations when failing at keeping up with the disciplines of Lent.

The first is to completely quit trying. It’s too hard. I can’t go another day without whatever comfort I gave up, I’m just going to bring it back and feel like a failure. The second is to subtly reintroduce the thing until you’re right back where you started.

At this point it would perhaps be beneficial to remember what we decided in the last post was the purpose of Lent (again you can read that post here). The answer I gave in that post was that the purpose was to make less of ourselves so that we might make much of God.

If we’re failing at doing Lent and recognizing that we aren’t able to even able to keep our own commitments for 40 days, then I think we are exactly where we need to be. Whether we get to this place through denying our comforts and realizing through the pain and struggle of keeping them, or whether we get there through feeling like a failure. Either way, we get to the first half of the very goal we were aiming at, to make less of ourselves.

So, what do we do?

This might seem obvious, but getting to the first half of the goal only gets us halfway there. If we stop at feeling like a failure, then we’ve actually accomplished the goal of Satan—the accuser! It isn’t enough to stop at failure.

We have to lean into the second half of the stated goal. Make less of ourselves, so that we might make much of God. We simply have to take our failures to the Lord and appreciate Him for His faithfulness on our behalf. As St. Paul tells us, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” and “the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

We have all failed in life in Lent or otherwise. We have all fallen short of the glorious existence that God set out for us. We all are living with the curse of death haunting our every move.

This isn’t the end though, the free gift of God IS eternal life. Glorious resurrection into that glorious existence for which humanity was created. Living in the presence of God.

This brings up another aspect of Lent that we haven’t discussed yet. That it teaches us patterns for living in the rest of life. We are going to fail… We are going to fall… We are going to live our lives like we’re walking on ice—up and down and back up again…

What this means is that the purpose of failing at Lent is to learn the pattern of repentance.

Let’s unpack this for just a moment. To repent loosely means to turn from one thing toward another. In this case from ourselves, toward God. Does this sound familiar to our purpose for Lent? Less of self, more of God. It is the pattern of our whole lives. It is why Jesus told us that following Him meant denying ourselves and taking up our cross daily.

The point of all of life and of Lent is not to be perfect, but to learn to be a natural repenter (I may have just made up a new word). We must learn by Lent or otherwise to quickly and continually turn from ourselves and our failures and turn to Christ.

I’ll just leave you with a psalm. The psalm of Lent, Psalm 51. I’d encourage you to use this psalm as a prayer. When you feel like giving up or feel like subtly returning to the comforts of Egypt, let us turn once again to the grace and mercy of our loving God. Don’t quit. Keep trying. Keep returning to God, that we might make less of ourselves in order to make more of God!

Psalm 51:1-12

51 Have mercy on me, O God,
    according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
    blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
    and cleanse me from my sin!

3 For I know my transgressions,
    and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned
    and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you may be justified in your words
    and blameless in your judgment.
5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
    and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6 Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being,
    and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.

7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
    wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
    let the bones that you have broken rejoice.
9 Hide your face from my sins,
    and blot out all my iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,
    and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from your presence,
    and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
    and uphold me with a willing spirit.

Grace and Peace,

Derek+

Lent

What’s the deal with Lent?

This is a fair question as many of us haven’t really grown up with the tradition. Even if we have, far too often Lent becomes an opportunity for us to try and shed a few pounds by giving up sweets for 40 days. What is Lent if it isn’t a diet program? That is the question I’d like to take a moment to answer. As well, I’d like to give a brief overview of what I plan to do for Lent this year in hopes that it might be an encouragement to you to practice a similar discipline this Lent.

First, what is Lent? Lent is the 40 day season (excluding Sundays) which runs between Ash Wednesday and Resurrection Sunday. It is 40 days long because it follows the 40 days of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness immediately following his baptism and immediately prior to his release into public ministry. So, in a very real way, it is an opportunity to participate in not only the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness, but more importantly, it is participation in Jesus’ victory over the temptation in the wilderness.

Because of this, we lean into the things that he did while he was facing temptation as we prepare to overcome temptation ourselves. Jesus fasted, he prayed, and he meditated on scripture and this is what we hope to do as well.

The goal isn’t simply to deny ourselves. God made the world good for our enjoyment so the point cannot be simply the denial of the good things of creation. The goal must be twofold. We must first practice self-denial in order to make less of ourselves so that we might make much of God. We must also deny ourselves those things which distract us from being dependent on God. We deny ourselves comforts so that we have the strength to deny our idols.

So, in my own Lenten practice that I’m about to outline, you’ll see a mix of denial of comfort, denial of idols, and the addition of things that direct the heart to God. Here goes;

Phone Use

The first thing that I’ve recognized as something that I need to address is the number of times that I look at my phone in a given day. I use the excuse that it is “working” but in all actuality, it might be work that pulls my attention, but it is usually facebook marketplace that keeps my attention. I think I have actually looked at every motorcycle that has been posted in the last month (this is only a slight exaggeration).

Doing this requires some upfront effort, especially being a pastor and knowing that there are situations that require immediate attention. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it simply is the reality of the calling and needs to be addressed. So, working with the iPhone, I can set up a Focus Mode that allows me to have it not send through notifications for apps and features that I choose. I can also select individuals that are allowed (cough cough, my wife, cough cough). This mode will also send an automated text message to inform those sending texts to simply call if they need something that is an emergency or time-sensitive and that otherwise, I’ll get back to them at one of the designated time periods.

My intention then is to check and respond to texts and emails 2x per day. Once at the beginning of the workday and once at the end. This is not because texts and emails are necessarily bad, but that they lead to the other apps that are time-wasters such as facebook and youtube. They are also simply an opportunity to practice self-control.

On a related note, I am giving up social media in general as well. It may be unnecessary given that I’m not looking at my phone, but it seems worth noting that I have a hard time coming up with many redeeming aspects of at least my own use of social media, so an extended fast is in order.

This isn’t merely about being more present in the office or with people during work time. It is also an acknowledgment that I use my phone to escape when things are getting crazy at home. I get my kids for 18 years and if the rest goes as fast as this much of their lives has gone, then I want to be present and enjoy it. It is very hard to believe that 1/3 of Ellis’s time at home is in the past… I want to be present and not miss a moment!

Nightly Distractions

This next one is pretty specific to me. I have insomnia and commonly wake up in the middle of the night with my mind going 1000 miles per hour thinking about all the things that I need to do or that haven’t happened that need to happen and it is impossible to go back to sleep. I’ve gotten into the habit of listening to podcasts or interviews on youtube while I’m in bed to calm my mind enough to fall back asleep.

I’ve recognized this as a multilayered problem, but I think the easiest thing to do is take baby steps. So, I’m going to trade podcasts and youtube videos for the Bible App Audio. What could possibly not be better about my life with more Bible in it. Wonder how much of the Bible I can make it through in 40 days? Perhaps more Bible will also help with the underlying issue of feeling anxious. Only time will tell.

Food Fasting

There is a long tradition of Wednesday and Fridays of Lent being days set aside for food fasting. I’ve decided to do a sort of modified food fast on those days. From 8pm the evening before until noon on the day of, I will abstain from all food and drink other than coffee and water. I like to workout and working out on an empty stomach isn’t fun, so I’ll have a light lunch work out in the early evening and have dinner with my family. Family dinner is important to me as well and worth sacrificing a total fast to accomplish the best of both. Family dinner also promises to be much better without my phone distraction!

I will also abstain from alcohol for the duration of Lent. While alcohol is great for celebration and is God’s gift in it’s proper context, it is dangerous as well. It is a friend best kept in check by regular periods of abstinence.

Daily Prayer

Praying the Daily Office from the Book of Common Prayer 2019(BCP) or dailyoffice2019.com has been a life giving discipline for a long time. Our family prays the Family Prayer at the Close of Day from the Family Prayer section in the BCP nearly every evening at bed time. Our kids are as crazy as anyone’s so this is the time that we can do something that resembles settling down and focusing our hearts on God.

I’ve gone through season of being very consistent with actually praying Daily Morning Prayer from the BCP, but I have been spending my morning prayer time in less structured ways as of late. Lots of meditating on Psalms, listening to old hymns, and silent prayer, but not a lot of liturgical prayer. I think there’s room for both, but there’s enough going on that’s new this season of Lent, so I’m going to keep it simply and just begin each day with Daily Morning Prayer from the BCP.

I’m going to be doing it either way, so I figured why not offer one morning per week where others can join if they so desire. So, I’m going to offer Daily Morning Prayer on each Wednesday morning during Lent at the church at 6am. Please feel free to join me. It is much easier to stay awake durning morning prayer that early if we’re together. I might even break out the guitar, or better yet I might convince Jake to come lead us in a song or two some weeks.

Summary

That’s it for this year. Less distraction, less comfort, more God. I’d invite you to spend the next week praying about what the Lord is calling you to abstain from this Lent and what discipline he might be inviting you to add.

What’s the deal with Lent? It is about making less of ourselves so that we might make much of God. As we make less of ourselves during Lent I can ensure you that it will make our celebration(or our much making) of Resurrection Sunday one that will be utterly unforgettable!

Grace and Peace,

Derek+

Palm Sunday

What’s the Deal with Palm Sunday?

Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Passion Week, the beginning of the ending of Jesus’ earthly ministry.

Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem on the back of a donkey fulfills a prophecy uttered several centuries earlier by the prophet Zechariah: “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9). The prophet foretells the arrival of a king—a great and righteous King who brings salvation. According to the New Testament’s accounts of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the people of the city went to the outskirts of the city to usher Jesus into town. As Jesus processed toward Jerusalem on the back of a donkey, the people laid palm fronds and cloaks in the road as a way of giving Jesus a king’s welcome. The palms signify that the King of the world is entering Jerusalem.

Importantly, though, Jesus is not like other kings, and his kingdom does not work like other kingdoms. Jesus does not launch his kingdom with military might and conquest, but with self-giving love. He wears a crown of thorns, and he is enthroned upon a cross. Today, King Jesus enters Jerusalem amid shouts of “Hosanna” (“save us!“). By Friday, he will be slain in Jerusalem amid cries of “Crucify him!” But these conflicting shouts are two sides of the same coin, for it is precisely by being crucified that Jesus saves the world. King Jesus’ route to glory goes the humble way of the cross—of love. And if we are his disciples, so must ours.

Jonathon+

Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday is the first day of what is traditionally known as the Triduum, which essentially means “The Great Three Days.” And, no, it’s not ‘Monday’ Thursday as it may seem to be pronounced (or as some thought when they were kids in a liturgical church).

So, what does “maundy” mean?! It comes from the Latin “mandatum,” which basically means “commandment.” That makes a kind of sense, doesn’t it? I mean, it’s not a far stretch to see “mandate” in there. (In fact, the software I’m writing this on tried to autocorrect the Latin term to “mandate” while I typed. Ha!)

Holy Thursday (as some refer to it) is so named “Maundy” because this is the day we remember the final Passover feast Jesus celebrated with His disciples. And, at that celebration, Jesus says to them, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” (John 13:34)

The way Jesus demonstrates this love is by humbling himself and washing the feet of His disciples. Jesus the Christ, God incarnate, takes on a task typically reserved for the lowliest of servants. At our Maundy Thursday service, we mimic Jesus’ humility by washing one another’s feet.

In addition to the foot-washing ceremony, we will partake in celebrating Holy Eucharist—which Jesus also instituted on this same night he broke bread with and washed His disciples’ feet. (This is no small matter, but this brief article can’t cover the magnitude and beauty of the Lord’s Supper.)

Afterward, we will strip the altar. The “Stripping of the Altar” involves removing all of the elements used during worship: the chalice (the cup which holds our communion wine), the paten (the plate which has the bread), books, candles, linens, and anything on the Table. It is often done hastily and sometimes dramatically.

The significance in the tradition of Stripping of the Altar is sobering. Those implements, which are otherwise special and sacred, on this night are treated as common. Just as Jesus was so treated as a common criminal. We gather around the now-bare altar. Yet, just as Jesus’ friends and followers did after His arrest, we’ll all eventually leave; leave the church to return to our respective homes.

This somber tone of worship will carry on to Good Friday. But, we know that Sunday is coming; and that means Resurrection! Until then--until Resurrection Sunday--we allow ourselves to sit in the sorrow. Blessed be the God of our salvation.

Adam

Good Friday

The Friday before Resurrection Sunday (or Easter) marks the commemoration of Christ’s crucifixion, therefore to call it “Good” Friday feels paradoxical. 

Imagine the emotions felt by his followers & family on the day that Jesus was executed. He was, of course, their teacher, friend, brother, and son, but they also had become convinced that he was their Savior and God. 

To call this day “Good” in this sense feels ironic or even sinister. And yet, Christians acknowledge that when Christ died on that cross over two millennia ago, he was paying the debt that mankind accrued for our rebellion against God (sin). 

Jesus knew his life on earth would end in crucifixion, and he went willingly to make a way for us to have a restored relationship with the triune God and to give us access into God’s kingdom. In this sense, “good” feels like an understatement because without Christ’s death, we would be damned to pay for that debt with our eternal death. 

So, on Good Friday, we rightly sit in the tension of mourning and lamenting the sin we ourselves commit which led to Jesus’ death, while also acknowledging that without it, we would have no hope for the restoration of life in God’s Kingdom.

Jed

Resurrection Sunday

I know why you’re here... You have a question. What exactly is the deal with Resurrection Sunday? Perhaps I’m being a bit presumptuous to assume that you’re even asking the question. Maybe you’ve never even thought to ask it before this very moment.

    First, Resurrection Sunday is the actual name of the day that most of the world refers to as Easter. The term Easter is fine to use, although it can be misleading. Easter and the associated celebration is most closely connected with the pagan goddess Eostre.

    As has  so often been the case, Christianity, as it spread throughout the world, adapted existing local celebrations to tell the story of Christ. Far from adopting pagan practices, though, the early Christians looked at what they were doing as redeeming the pagan culture—to take a curse and turn it into a blessing! This is central to the very message of Christ.  Especially the message of Resurrection. What is more of a reversal of a curse than overcoming the curse of death through resurrection?!

    Next, Resurrection, while it is essentially the theme of every Sunday services, bears having a special day and season because it is absolutely essential to our faith. St. Paul himself says, “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile, and you are still in your sins. Then those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.”

    Paul understood fully that our faith rests in large part on the historicity of the resurrection of Jesus. We acknowledge this reality as well when we celebrate this most important day in our Christian Calendar. We acknowledge that our resurrection has been assured through the resurrection of Christ. He is the first-fruit; we will one day be the harvest. Praise be to God!

    Resurrection Sunday grows in significance as we place it in the context of the Christian calendar, as it follows the season of Lent and is the culmination of Holy Week! As we come to Resurrection Sunday, having spent 40 days practicing self-denial, we are able to worship and celebrate even more freely.

    Yes, resurrection is so important to us that we don’t merely get one day to celebrate, but an entire 50 day season! This reminds us that the feast is bigger than the fast! That, though there is pain in the night, praise God, JOY comes in the morning! As we feast this Resurrection season and add the Hallelujahs back into our liturgy, let’s remember the goodness of resurrection that is becoming real in our lives even now as we wait for it to come in fullness one day!

Derek+