What time is it Mr. Wolf? It is Lent o’clock. Yes it is. That special time in the lives of Christians where one makes a concerted effort to give up something or take on something as one looks at resetting their internal being while walking with Jesus in the desert. FYI: Maybe don’t look outside because desert it is not happening. Oops not a funny. Serious stuff is the season of Lent. As I was saying, Lent is the pause in one’s life for 40 days where praying, fasting and almsgiving are hopefully front and centre. For it is an invitation to take up the cross and look in the mirror. Yikes! I am not sure I want to do that. I could give up the wrinkles (keep the laugh lines) and but do I really need to take on more grey hair. Au natural. It seems I’m taking on lots of that.
Giving up or taking on. Hmmmm, Be a better version of the person you would like to be for God encourages you to be in word and deed. It would be highly advisable to note here that one would be best to avoid scanning the latest National Enquirer, Star, Us, Closer, or God forbid (sorry Lord) Sports Illustrated!! Hey, people read what they read while waiting in line at Walmart (3 for 15.00 section of tabloids). Sometimes the wait time requires waiting. I wonder if one can accrue patience in line. Probably not.
Giving up. Well there are tons and tons of things you can give up. It is that whole notion of sacrifice and self-discipline, getting rid of the clutter, the distractions, the whatever that gets in the way of building a richer relationship with God. It is that age old message from Matthew 6:24 where “no man can serve two masters…”. Holy moly what would that look like?! I mean the diet authors would have a hay day when Lent comes a calling….no meat or fat. The tee totalers would be jumping for joy when alcohol gets on the hit list of ‘give up’. And the convenience and Dollar Store franchises would not be singing a happy tune to NO MORE chocolate or junk food jumping in the cart. We have to remember the give up or take ons technically speaking for fasting are for 14+. I am guessing there would be some very sad little puppies because if mom and dad are giving up then sucks to be you, kids. Yikes.
But giving up something can be quite rewarding. It might be more appreciated when you do. Although do not take offence if someone makes a comment like “you are giving what up for Lent!!?” And then immediately says to you “may the odds be in your favour”? Anyway, be that as it may, the act of giving up something for Lent. It is not for the feint of heart. It is not like a New Years Resolution, a flash in the pan kind of thing, where you make a promise and it kind of peter’s off to….nah next year will be better. No. Lenten actions have a deeper meaning to self and hopefully the fruits are witnessed by others too.
If you think about walking in the desert, literally, it is arid, dry, barren. There is little to no distraction and the blessing is you are not alone; Jesus is with you. It is your time to spend with yourself. Outside of coming across an oasis, a respite for a bit, probably more like a mirage, the journey is simple. Never mind the hot and sweaty, gritty sand on feet or nothing to see literally except the blue sky, hot sun and sand, lots and lots of sand. The beauty is in the walk. For when was the last time you went for a walk, on your own, without company, without a cell!! That would be a hoot, no 24/7 “beam me up Scottie” cell. The cell is not a Cell any longer. No wonder it is called a cell – the self slammer. Is that possible to give up one’s cell for Lent? Huh! What did we do before cell phones!!
On the other side, it could be a good thing when taking on something. You know like something daring such as being kinder. Nicer. Gentler. Loving. Courteous. Big-hearted. Helpful. Considerate. There is a wee bit of a theme here…for goodness sake just be a caring human. Is it too much to ask? When did mean and meaner become a norm. Seriously, I really think taking on adulting would cut the mustard. LOL. I mean did the pandemic (lets blame something) plant a bug in self or one’s neighbour to be uncharitable, catty, nasty, odious etc. Man up people and stop making me wonder ‘who peed in your soup’?
The wonder of Lent is that it is a reset button if I want to get technical. Spiritually it is a gift of penitence. Oh there is so much to work with. Yikes!! Anyway, I can chuckle all I want but it really is about the acceptance of me and forgiving myself in what I have done and what I have failed to do as a Christian. The whole notion of Lenten action in prayer, fasting and almsgiving is more of the re-ing of self. Re-arrange. re-birth, re-build, re-fresh, re-new, re-organize, re-vitalize, re-awaken. Me.
So the time is here. Lent 0’clock. No more ‘just one more…then I start Lent.” Maybe look at it as not the end of the world or unwilling sacrifice or this is going to hurt. Sheesh. It can be a time to rip the bandaid off and go cold turkey. How hard can it be to pass Tim Horton’s, ignore the Friday night pub, skip the candy aisle, be positive to grumpy, no texting, actually talk face to face, wake up before the alarm, drink water only, dock your phone, control the remote control, be silent/be still, say a prayer.
At the end of the day, Lent is an invitation of time. How I spend it? well that is entirely up to me in how I take part. So this year I decided to work on two things patience, taking it on, and intermittent fasting (supposedly good for you–tell that to tummy). Anyway, have you ever been with a two, almost three year old, recently? Well, Lent hear my prayer. LOL. And for the other, there is fasting and then there is fasting. Oh my. How fast can fast take? Yes, I await the hour to draw near. As I said, “what time is it Mr. Wolf?”. Blessings.
Let us pray for those whom are in need of prayers this day. Amen.
Karenpondering 