Lent – A Ritual worth “giving up”
For those of the “christian” faith, and i use that term “christian” loosely (you’ll find out why in a couple paragraphs), you’re familiar with the terms “Lent” and “Ash Wednesday“. For those who need some history, Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent and occurs forty days before Easter (excluding Sundays). Ash Wednesday gets its name from the practice of placing ashes on the foreheads of the faithful as a sign of repentance. The ashes used are gathered after the Palm Crosses from the previous year’s Palm Sunday are burned. (more info about AW here)
I understand the significance of lent and ash wednesday, but from an early age as a child of Catholic parents, I’ve always had a problem with these observances (at face value). And as I aged, matured, and developed a greater understanding of God and my relationship with Him, my view of these practices and this time of year has only been reinforced.
While lent is to some a holy and sacred observance, in essence it’s a period of time created by religion to help appease people’s guilty consciences. I grew up seeing people give up beer, cigarettes, sodas, and various vices for lent, only to celebrate the end of lent with a cooler full of beer and alcohol. I’ll hear so many family members tell me over the next few weeks how they’ve given up beer, cigarettes, or chocolate, thinking that God is pleased with them and is adding points to their heavenly scoreboard. They won’t eat meat on Fridays, which only reinforces their “feeling” of “holiness”, and for those that didn’t give up alcohol for Lent, well, they’ll just enjoy their fish sandwich with a tall 40oz bud light.
On Feb 25th, observers of Lent will be walking around town with ashes on their forehead, which to me, is just another re-enforcer of a false sense of righteousness with God. In Matthew 6, Jesus encourages us to pray and worship God in “secret” or in private. He made reference many times to how the Pharisees enjoyed displaying their “religion” and “holiness” with their long robes and religious garments and head gear. Those Pharisees were seeking attention and acknowledgment of their “holiness” from men. If that’s what they wanted, then they surely received that reward in full.
In Matthew 6:6, Jesus states: “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” What benefit is there in having ash put on your forehead? Is it because of the attention that is drawn to you? Does it make a person more “holy” or “righteous”? Yes, I understand that these observances allow “christians” to remember Christ and his sacrifice for us, but that can be done without the ashes and it should be done on a daily basis without the help of ashes, palm leaves, or not drinking beer for 40 days.
This type of religious observance isn’t necessary, given the fact that Jesus fulfilled any need or desire for us as humans to please God in our own ability. “Giving up” something for Lent is a form of “sacrifice” in the eyes of its participants, but the ultimate “sacrifice” that we can offer to God is to surrender our lives to him. And if a person doesn’t “know” Jesus as savior, then in all honesty, the only thing a person will get out of fasting junk food or a vice for 40 days is a smaller waste and a well deserved break for their liver.
This season that we call Easter can be different for us all if we stop and think about what do and observe. The sacrifice to be be made this year is very clear. It’s not about giving up any type of food, beverage, vice, or hobby. The sacrifice for you and me this year should be to give our lives totally and completely over to God and trust Jesus as our savior. Only then will any other sacrifices or fasting having true meaning.
Would love to hear your thoughts. Thanks for reading.
Tags: ash wednesday, ashes, christianity, god, holiness, holy, jesus, lent, matthew 6, righteous, sacrifice, savior, spiritual
February 10th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
So I guess we won’t see you at Kaleo’s Ash Wednesday service in a few weeks then?
Honestly, I think you’re throwing out the baby with the bathwater. Lent has a rich history in the church, dating back even prior to 200 AD. Sure, many people have abused it and celebrated it in a hollow, meaningless way – but that is not a reason to abandon something that has been a season of reflection and rememberence for the church for over 1800 years.
In addition, the texts you mentioned about Jesus forbidden a public display of righteousness are actually designated to be read on Ash Wednesday (by the Revised Common Lectionary) as a reminder that the disciplines we undertake during the season of lent are not a means of earning our righteousness before God, but rather means by which we might draw closer to Him.
I agree wholeheartedly that unless the customs of ashes, fasting, etc. are done out of a heart that has already been surrendered to Christ they are of no value. That being said, there is much to be lost in dismissing a rich history simply because people are hypocrites and often don’t observe the season rightly.
Great book on the subject of why the church year is so valuable – Ancient Future Time by Robert Webber.
February 10th, 2009 at 1:41 pm
Thanks for the reply bill. Well said and I’ll reference to the book you suggested. You guys actually do an ash wednesday service? Never knew that. hmm.
I’ve studied the topic throughout the years, especially because of my Catholic upbringing (no longer catholic by the way), and I’ll always see these practices as non-essentials and “religious” practices created by man.
There’s a lot of practices within the church that may be historical, yet should be questioned and put in check & perspective.
thanks for reading. I’d love to get more feedback on this topic.
February 10th, 2009 at 2:03 pm
Definitely not a biblical essential – just a long-standing tradition (like celebrating Christmas and Easter on particular days during the year).
That being said, I can definitely relate to how a catholic upbringing can soil someone’s view of it. If it is a hindrance rather than a help, then you are definitely right to avoid it.
Good food for thought, by the way.
February 10th, 2009 at 2:09 pm
I agree. I’m sure the meaning behind the tradition can differ for some, but as a ritual or tradition meant to show sacrifice, it’s lacking and not necessary in my opinion. I don’t have much experience or knowledge in the catholic religion, but I believe fasting should be something between you and God, that has a deeper meaning than just giving something up for 40 days.
And, I must say the amount of hypocrisy that I’ve seen in this tradition further tarnishes the idea behind it.