Why Observe Lent?

Why Observe Lent? February 9, 2016

To observe Lent rightly, we have to be persuaded that we already stand in God’s favor.

Ash Wednesday reminds us to number our days. It helps us gain a heart of wisdom (Psalm 90:12).

We keep Easter to manifest and deepen our prior share in resurrection. We observe Lent to manifest and deepen our share in the cross.

As a focused pursuit of the fruits of holiness, Lent is rooted in union with Christ, who is our sanctification.

Lent is the season of blood and guts and flesh. It is the supremely anti -Gnostic season.

Some say Lent inhibits the church’s cultural impact. To that, there are three answers: Christendom, Byzantium, & Bach.

Lent is a pursuit of glory, because the Lord exalts those who humble themselves.

To observe Lent rightly, we need to be confident that the power to obey God is a gift from God.

Israel sought out and purged old leaven once a year. Lent is the Christian feast of unleavened bread.

For Christians, death is not end but beginning. Lent is an extended meditation on that good news.

Life is a Lenten journey through death toward resurrection.

Lent is boot camp for spiritual warriors.

Without Lent or something like it, the church risks falling into a victoryism without the cross, which is the weapon of victory.

Lent didn’t keep Christians from converting Europe, forming Christendom, building cathedrals, celebrating carnivale.

Lent is training in the fundamental Christian discipline of waiting.

Lent is preparation for martyrdom. Nothing is more politically potent than a martyr.

Like the whole church calendar, Lent inserts “the fact of Christ into the rhythm of seasons, weeks, days and hours.” –Congar

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