Lent is almost upon us, and I would be remiss if I didn’t say something to encourage you (and me) to begin thinking about how to keep this sacred season.  Most of us associate Lent with fasting in one form or another, often by giving up something; meat, chocolate, alcohol, or some such.  And fasting can be a very provocative exercise.  The goal of fasting, of course, is to intensify our awareness of our dependence on God and of the needs of others, especially the poor.

To actually fast – that is, to go without food or drink for some period of time – is to become acutely aware of our mortality.  That’s not easy to do, not only because it’s really hard to go without food and experience hunger, but because we live in the midst of such incredible abundance.  We’re surrounded by food: fast food, grocery stores, restaurants, and refrigerators full of everything conceivable from produce out-of-season to snacks galore.

If you decide to fast, I suggest these guidelines:

• First, keep it to yourself.  (The obvious exception to this is if you have a small group who are supporting and encouraging each other.)  An elderly Episcopal nun once said to me, “A fast told is a fast lost!”  So if you’re at a restaurant with friends and, when you place your order, say something like, “Oh, I’ve given up desserts for Lent,” then you just blew it.
• Second, try to choose something that doesn’t include an ulterior motive, like giving up something so you’ll lose weight.  That’s not fasting; that’s a diet.
• Third, if it’s something you can put a cost to, set aside that money and give it as a special offering to something worthy, such as Episcopal Relief and Development, the church, the local food pantry, or your favorite charity.

But there is more to Lent than fasting.  The invitation to a holy Lent in the Prayer Book includes not only fasting and self-denial, but also “self-examination and repentance, prayer… and by reading and meditating on God’s holy Word.”  Consider then adding a positive discipline to your life as part of your Lenten journey.  The possibilities are endless, from reading the Bible or other inspirational material to volunteering at the local humane society or food pantry.

As part of our parish observance of Lent, we will be talking about some of the major biblical stories during Coffee & Conversation on Sunday five mornings, from March 9^th through April 13^th.  (The following Sundays are Palm Sunday and Easter.) The focus will be on the Old Testament, including the Creation Stories, the Abrahamic Saga (for two Sundays), the Exodus, and Job.  As always, Coffee & Conversation is informal, and these discussions will be offered in that same spirit.

Remember that March 4^th is Shrove Tuesday, representing the end of Mardi Gras.  We will celebrate with a very special taco bar, served between 6 and 7pm.  There is no charge, but an offering basket will be available for your contribution to the costs.  Then the 5^th is Ash Wednesday.  The Imposition of Ashes and Holy Communion will be offered at noon and 7pm.  Sunday, March 9^th is the First Sunday in Lent, and is also the beginning of our new Sunday morning schedule: one combined service at 10am.  (Note that it is also Time Change Sunday when we “spring ahead” and lose an hour.)  During Lent, our worship will be in the form of Rite One.

Next week: some thoughts about Confession, or what we in the Episcopal Church call Reconciliation of a Penitent (BCP, pages 447-452).

Faithfully,

Lori †