Faces on Faith: Find one way to give of yourself
Whenever the season of Lent comes around, I am regularly asked this question:
If the season of Lent is 40 days long, why are there 47 days from Ash Wednesday to Easter?
The answer is that, in Christian theology, none of the Sundays count. Nope. The Sundays in Lent don’t count. Well, they do count of course. All Sundays count in Christianity. In fact, in Christian theology, all Sundays are special in that they are considered “mini Easters” — considered commemorations of the Resurrection. Therefore, they can’t be included in the days of Lent.
So I guess then, in terms of the Christian tradition of giving something up for Lent, it means that whatever we might have given up is fair game on those Sundays. Whether it’s desserts, or chocolate (not a dessert — a basic food group), or complaining … have at it! Well, maybe not that last one. Besides, there are other means of journeying through Lent besides giving something up.
I do get the biblical, theological and spiritual foundations underlying the practice of giving things up for Lent. The understanding that giving something up — fasting from it — is a form of small-scale sacrifice in honor of Jesus’ life of sacrifice to us, as well as a replication of Jesus fasting in the wilderness in preparation for the start of his earthly ministry.
But that is only one of what are seen as the “Three Pillars of Lent.” Along with fasting, the other two are praying and giving. So let’s not forget that other 66.7%! Maybe for the remainder of this Lent, instead of trying to give something up, do more of those other two pillars.
For the remainder of this Lent, perhaps try to find a little more time to pray, or read from a devotional, or just sit and be with Jesus and the God that he embodies. And maybe find even one way to give. I don’t mean financially or materially. I mean give of yourself.
Give a little more time to someone who you encounter when it might be easier or more practical for you to move on to the next thing on your “to do” list. Give your voice or presence to a cause or community of God’s people who are not being treated as God would have them. Or give a second (or third or fourth …) chance to repairing a relationship that has become frayed or completely broken.
During the rest of these 47 days, give that a try, and see where God takes you.
And while you’re at it, enjoy the chocolate.
The Rev. Dr. Mark Boyea is senior minister at the Sanibel Congregational United Church of Christ.