The Lenten journey today is individualised. In the past it was fairly straightforward – you fasted, you prayed, you gave. Now it seems to be ‘what will I give up’ rather than this is what we do. Let’s face it – one person’s Lenten fast is probably another person’s meal of choice. The choice to go without has to mean something to the person, I think. It is not a diet. It has to stem from the desire to be closer to God. How does giving something up bring us closer to God? It comes from intention. If you give something up with the intention that you do it as part of a time of active prayer and giving, it represents (in a way) the inner commitment in a physical or outward way. If it is not part of prayer and giving then is it just a secularised version of religious tradition? Something you do and you kind of hope it takes away with it a couple of the extra kilos from Christmas and New Year.
The focus should not be ‘what am I giving up for Lent’ but how will I commit to reconciling my imperfect self with my God? That is after all what the Lenten journey is about – reconciliation. Reconciliation is more than saying sorry. It is a reunification. It brings back together what was once one that is now broken, cracked or fragmented. Deep down we know the things we do that separate us from God and yet he welcomes us every time we want to step back into his infinite love. So a key part of Lent is the commitment to stop doing those things. That is hard. It is far easier to go without chocolate or wine than to change our practice or way of speaking or thinking. This is the real Lenten journey.
Let it begin.
The Female Theologian 