Monday, March 4, 2019
642 - Eat Some Chocolate
Spirituality Column #642
March 5, 2019
Common Christianity / Uncommon Christianity
Eat Some Chocolate
By Bob Walters
“But I tell you: Love
your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” – Jesus from the Sermon on
the Mount, Matthew 5:44
Ash
Wednesday tomorrow kicks off the 40-day stretch of quadragesima pasche lead-in to Easter, and the question of the
moment is, “What are you giving up for Lent?”
Yes, ‘tis
the spring season of Christian fasting, sacrifice, self-denial, self-examination,
and repentance – what fun. No wonder
Christmas season is so much cheerier than Easter season. At Christmas here in the northern latitudes we
are entering the harshest, darkest, dreariest weather season of the year and
yet we sing cheerily of snow, family, and presents. Lent is the light at the other
end of that winter tunnel: spring awaits, days will warm (eventually), flowers
will bloom, and the life-affirming resurrection of our Lord Jesus will be
celebrated on Easter.
Instead of touting joy in holy
expectations, Lenten traditions instruct us to focus on the ascetic misery of
self-denial and sin which amounts – crushingly – to focus on the self. I so deeply pray that Lent were more about
doubling down on Jesus than on purposely withholding our human joy in His
lordship, love, and freedom.
So the question is, “What are you
giving up?” Most Bible and evangelical
churches, like the one I attend, don’t observe the ecclesial calendar. But the Roman Catholics, mainline Protestants,
and Orthodox most certainly do, and the pull is enormous for all Christians
familiar with the practice to consider Lenten forfeiture of something they
like. This will show God – and others
(don’t judge) – that we care.
Popular “give ups” include
chocolates, sweets, or abating some easily identifiable vice (gambling,
drinking, smoking, swearing, etc.) we probably should stop anyway. We mark Lenten days in want, suffering, and self-immersive
righteousness until Easter morning bursts those shackles free. And then, since you’ve shown God how much you
care, go back to whatever it was you were doing that you already thought was
probably a bad idea. That, um, isn’t quite
the spirit of repentant rest and peace in Jesus.
In the past I’ve encouraged folks
to observe the season of Lent by investing this six-week period in reading –
really reading – the four Gospels of Jesus: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Meditate on them, study, find out their
meaning, write down your thoughts, discuss them with a pastor, elder, or mature
Christian friend. Learning more about
Jesus helps you focus less on yourself. Serve
others if you can.
Another great Lenten “give up” is,
or rather are, grudges and fearful impatience.
Use Lent to work on your trust in the Lord. Forgive enemies large and small. Live in the moment-to-moment peace and
righteousness of Jesus; in the studied courage of a spirit that embraces loving
truth and strength, and deflects fearful hostility and pique.
Forgiveness, like spring, makes
everything new. As for Lent? By all means, eat some chocolate; but love
and forgive your enemies and never, ever give up on Jesus.
Walters (rlwcom@aol.com) notes that the 40 days of Lent lasts for
46 calendar days because Sundays don’t count … they are already holy but your
“give up” applies.
2 comments:
I love this so much! I often read the gospels and/or find a reading plan online that leads up to Easter. So much better to immerse ourselves in the word. Thanks for the reminder!
Nice thought! Thanks for that.
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