A message for Lent
Reverend Lindsay Turnbull of Trinity Parish Church
As you read this we are in the church season of Lent, a period of 40 days leading up to Easter when Christians remember Jesus’s preparation in the desert, where he turned his back on temptation and prepared himself for the mission God had sent him to complete.
Lent is generally seen as a time of self-discipline and giving up certain kinds of food or drinks or modern indulgences like video games or social media. Often a time of prayer, reflection and spiritual growth or a time of giving more generously to charities and other worthwhile causes. There again, it can also be used as a countdown to unwrapping chocolate eggs. And there are many people who during this time to do some, all or none of these things.
But although the season of Lent comes from Christian tradition everyone, Christian or not, can benefit from the practice of Lent. For regardless of where a practice comes from, we don’t have to be religious to learn and benefit from it. Even if we consider ourselves completely non-religious, we all routinely practice habits and traditions every day. And during Lent and beyond, it would certainly benefit all of us and our world if each and every day we took seriously a Lenten practice suggested by Pope Francis.
Do you want to fast this Lent? Fast from hurting words and say kind words. Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude. Fast from anger and be filled with patience. Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope. Fast from worries and trust in God. Fast from complaints and contemplate simplicity. Fast from pressures and be prayerful. Fast from bitterness and fill your heart with joy. Fast from selfishness and be compassionate to others. Fast from grudges and be reconciled. Fast from words and be silent so you can listen.