Doing anything interesting for Lent?

It’s that time of the year again. Lent. The annual preparation for the commemoration of Holy Week and Easter beyond. Sackcloth and ashes - self-denial, fasting, abstinence! Bring it on!
The Old English word ‘Lent' simply means ‘springtime'. In our church lectionary we turn from the Christmas liturgical cycle to the Paschal cycle, we turn from winter and anticipate summer. In our Lenten services we begin to address Luke’s moving and compassionate parables, his attention to the events of Holy Week and the physician’s beautiful crafted cameo stories of post resurrection experiences.

In an “affluenza” age of unbridled self interest where dominant market forces seem to be that of acquiring, consuming and maintaining “sustained economic growth” the church of late has found ways of softening our Lenten observances. We tell ourselves that Lent isn't about giving things up. We journey to a countryside retreat with a Lakeland Plastics outlet on hand. We may wish to resume membership of a relaxing gym with a bubbling jacuzzi later to detox with juice-broth for inner healing. Perhaps this year a new book may guide us on our spiritual journey (try Timothy Keller’s The Prodigal God). We might engage in positive and creative Lenten activities to express our support with our brothers and sisters who are hungry and thirsty. But fasting and abstinence – a temporary restraint from sex, food and alcohol? Well perhaps not this Lent!

Yet Jesus clearly expects us to fast. He fasted for 40 days, so did Elijah and Moses. A fast is simply a personal act of devotion to God. Jesus told us that when we fast (not if) we are not to make a show of it, like hypocrites do. A fast is different from a hunger strike; it is also different from anorexia nervosa: it is disciplined diet, not total abstention from food. You still eat; you just abstain from certain foodstuffs, by eliminating luxury items from your diet, such as meats and chocolates. The idea of a fast is to draw us closer to God, to love him more. Abs(stin)ence makes the heart grow fonder?

Can we be counter-cultural and get back to old fashioned Lenten observances to think carefully about what fasting and abstinence could mean in our individual spiritual life? For some fasting might imply thinking about reasonable limits on what we can and can't have, for others it might mean a more balanced approach to our lifestyle, maybe to enjoy a more greener lifestyle. Yet others it may mean a new or different approach to focused prayer. Why not try a corporate fast, a day time fast, a fruit and veg fast, a partial fast, a Wesley fast (John Wesley used to fast on Tuesday and Friday most weeks, but would only miss breakfast & lunch)

So go on, turn the telly off, take a phone break and try a disciplined fast this Lent – you may not wish to go up a mountain to pray all night – so instead rest, relax, enjoy a smoothie , read the bible in preparation for Easter – pray - you know it makes spiritual and ecological sense.

Ray Anglesea

Please Note:
1. If you are pregnant, on medication or have any long term illness, please do not undertake
any kind of food or drink fast without the agreement of your doctor.
2. If you use any of the fasts which abstain from food for more than a couple of days, it could
impair your ability to drive or operate machinery.
3. If you experience dizziness or any other unexpected symptoms please stop the fast until you have been able to consult a doctor.