Giving as Receiving
This season known as Lent has quickly become a favorite season of mine. I say quickly, because it was not until I was serving in vocational ministry before I was taught a thorough explanation of what this season entails.
When I was in high school, in a galaxy far far away, I remember my girlfriend being catholic and only being able to eat fish on Fridays during Lent, but we didn't really talk about the meaning of it. And because Lent falls within the latter part of basketball season, she and I would eat an early dinner at Burger King before our game. I played on the basketball team and she was on the cheerleading squad.
So I understood Lent to mean a fish sandwich at a fast food restaurant instead of a burger and fries. How profound, right?
As I began to immerse myself in the origins and intended practice, my heart was drawn to the invitation to a focused attention on letting go of that which hinders and holds back, that which is unhelpful in following the way of Jesus.
But in merely browsing the basic definition of the Western church’s description of Lent, I find it limp and lacking depth.
“The purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer for Easter through prayer, doing penance, mortifying the flesh, repentance of sins, almsgiving, simple living and self-denial. Many Christians commit to fasting, as well as giving up certain luxuries in order to replicate the account of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ's journey into the desert for 40 days.”
Two things here. First, mortifying the flesh, yikes! Maybe a bit more explanation would be helpful, yes? Secondly, giving up certain luxuries in order to replicate the sacrifice of Jesus? I want to be careful not to offend, but giving up chocolate for 40 days and then holding that in the same sentence as Jesus’s sacrifice in the desert for 40 days seems, well, ridiculous. Hear me out, giving up Reese’s peanut butter cups is some form of sacrifice, but I have to scoff at dragging what Jesus went through into that conversation.
How about a reading assignment, think of it as a Lenten devotional for today. Honestly, this reading has the depth to walk you through the entirety of Lent. Read chapter 58 of the prophet Isaiah, from the Hebrew Scriptures. A little flavor from it to whet your appetite:
“Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for people to humble themselves? Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed and for lying in sackcloth and ashes?
Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice… to set the oppressed free… to share your food with the hungry… and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter…and to clothe the naked.”
I have to come learn that gain is in the giving, not expecting the Divine to hand me extra on the other side of setting aside luxuries.
This is not about cutting off life, it’s about pruning that which is a hindrance to the abundant life. And a life of generosity, of giving and pouring out for the benefit of those in need, is far more fitting with the abundant life.
Lent is not about punishing our bodies , but rather repositioning our hearts.
