Lent is Church language. For countless jaded Christians the word implies little more than hypocrisy and self-righteousness. For others it’s that time of year to give up coffee or baked goods for a few weeks. When some think of it, this might pop into their heads: “It seems like I remember my sin enough without smudging it on my face and going without my favorite drink for a month and a half.† I invited a friend to the Ash Wednesday service with a local Catholic congregation and this was his response: “Nah man. I like my coffee.â€Â And then he added, chuckling, “When I hear ‘Lent’ I think of my Catholic friends giving up some piddly thing and making a big deal about it on Facebook.â€Â He has a legitimate critique. There are, in my experience, a precious few who really get the point of dabbing a bit of ash on their foreheads. And that is, in part, why I’m writing this series.
In an article written by an Anglican from the Order of Julian of Norwich, the author says this of the language of Lent:
Spiritual authority has been drained from these words; to a great degree they have become old, punctured vessels which have long since leaked out their wine. If they do retain meaning for some, it is often of an antipathetic character; they are words signifying psychological abuse at the hands of an aggressive, punishing Church. Simply put, our language has lost its spiritual authority because, to my mind, it has not been used with honesty nor as a sacred means of grace, as sacred vessels which can potentially bear the wine of God’s direct word to the soul.
(A Retreat given to the Clergy of the Diocese of Fond du Lac in Lent, 1998)
I want to attempt to bring honest life back to dying language.
Before you begin reading, please take a few moments to center yourself. Ask the Spirit to make himself known to your heart and mind. Thank the Father for all you have, and center your attention on Jesus, the wise King. [Read more…] about Shoot Christians Say: Lent and Ash Wednesday