By R. Kevin Johnson
On Ash Wednesday, Christians around the world seek out churches in order to have the ash from burned palm fronds (generally those used in the church on the previous Palm Sunday) pressed onto their foreheads in the shape of a cross. As ministers preside over this imposition of ashes, they tell penitents, “Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return.”
Ash Wednesday is the beginning of a new season called Lent when believers around the world begin the journey to the cross of Christ. Lent, which literally means “spring” or the “season of lengthening days,” is the period of 40 days when Christians pray, fast and prepare to commemorate the Passion of the Christ.
Some Baptists have branded the Lenten season “too Catholic” for our tradition. However, the 40-day period is biblical in that it is symbolic of the time that Jesus spent in the wilderness being tempted by Satan.
Because of the penitential nature of the season, alleluias are not uttered during Lent. Instead it is appropriate to pray, “Lord, have mercy; Christ have mercy; Lord have mercy.”
This solemn season is a time of reflection, remembrance and introspective spiritual renewal for Christians who are called to a Holy Lent. In order to focus attention on the Christ, his ministry and his suffering for our sins, many give up an ordinary activity of life and substitute the time they would spend on that activity on an act of devotion.
Many Christians choose to fast or give up another regular activity in order to substitute these with prayer and reflection. The question, “What are you giving up for Lent this year?” lingers large in both somber and tongue-in-cheek conversations this time of year. Recently, when faced with the most important query of the season, I heard a friend respond that he was “giving up hope” for Lent this year.
While my friend was providing a humorous quip in the moment, he further commented that “Christians should take this business of giving something up quite seriously.” This season is not one where Coke is given up in favor of Pepsi. In fact, the practice of giving up a common thing in one’s life could turn into an opportunity to add something in its place that fosters greater devotion to the Lord God.
In addition to seeking to prepare and repair one’s own heart and mind, Lent is the perfect time to search the heart to examine human relationships with both Christians and non-Christians. The scriptures are filled with the hope of the promise of the Savior — saying that when we are faithful and gracious enough to forgive others who wrong us in some way, the Lord is faithful to forgive each of us of our sins.
In the process of seeking holiness during a season of sacrifice, many moan and groan, such that others will, as the Scripture says, “see that they are fasting.” During this beautiful season, however, we are called to joy — recognizing our faults but acknowledging the forgiveness that comes because a God who loves us was willing to send a Savior who died for us, that we might live in the shadow of his resurrection and know the fullness of his love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
With that, we are invited to a holy Lent — one that draws us closer to the Christ as we remember his sacrifice for us on the cross.