Can the season of Lent become a year-round lifestyle?
One of my favorite hymns was written by Elder Joseph Brackett, Jr. in 1848. He was a member of a religious group known as the Shakers here in the USA. It is called Simple Gifts:
'Tis the gift to be simple,
'tis the gift to be free,
'tis the gift to come down where you ought to be
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
It will be in the valley of love and delight.
Refrain:
When true simplicity is gained,
To bow and to bend we shan't be ashamed.
To turn, turn will be our delight,
'Til by turning, turning we come round right
Tis the gift to be loved and that love to return,
'Tis the gift to be taught and a richer gift to learn,
And when we expect of others what we try to live each day,
Then we'll all live together and we'll all learn to say,
Refrain
'Tis the gift to have friends and a true friend to be,
'Tis the gift to think of others not to only think of "me",
And when we hear what others really think and really feel,
Then we'll all live together with a love that is real.
This is what Lent means to me, to live a simpler, more comtemplative life. I find myself less stressed, and more in tune with the needs of others, as I put my needs aside. I spend more time in fellowship with God and His Word, and ponder the Love that is so great, His Son Jesus chose to sacrfice Himself for my sins. That is the greatest gift of all!
A Lenten Meditation
Basic Facts About Lent
Terms, symbolism and reasons for Lent
Lent is the period of fasting leading up to the feast of Easter, recalling Jesus' 40-day fast in the wilderness. Western Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends liturgically on the morning of Holy Thursday, although Lenten penance continues through Holy Saturday. In 2009, Lent begins on February 25 in the Western Church.Liturgical Color(s): Violet (Purple)
Type of Holiday: Fast
Time of Year: Immediately following Ordinary Time after Epiphany; varies
Duration: Liturgically Lent lasts 44 Days, and includes Sundays. The traditional Lenten fast is observed for 40 days, starting on Ash Wednesday, going through Holy Week, excluding Sundays.
Celebrates/Symbolizes: Jesus' wilderness fast; Preparation for Easter
Alternate Names: Great Lent
Scriptural References: Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13
Click here to learn more about Lent.
Reflection for Lent
Reflection for Lent
This Lenten reflection acknowledges the brokenness of our lives and in our world and encourages us to find repentance through Christ. A high resolution copy can be downloaded from http://www.lulu.com/content/6167446 Music featured: God Is Our Refuge from the CD, Psalmus by Jeff Johnson (www.arkmusic.com). Used with permission. All Rights Reserved. Artwork from CMU Winnipeg Canada used by permission Slide 7 - Tibebe Terffa Ethiopia acrylic on canvas Slide 10 - Chapel painting by Ray Dirks Slide 13 - Paper cut by Gen Tsuboi Remaining slides - photography by Coe Hutchison, Christine Sine and Tom Balke
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How Is Lent Observed?
The purpose of Lent is to be a season of fasting, self-denial, Christian growth, penitence, conversion, and simplicity. Lent, which comes from the Teutonic word for springtime, can be viewed as a spiritual spring cleaning: a time for taking spiritual inventory and then cleaning out those things which hinder our corporate and personal relationships with Jesus Christ and our service to him.There are a few basic tasks that traditionally have been associated with Lent. Many of these have a long history. These are fasting, almsgiving, and prayer. In addition, reading the Scriptures and the Church's Writings can help one grow during Lent.
Click here to learn more about Lent.
Lent 2009 Reflection
Lent 2009 Reflection
A Reflection on where God is in our world. In our busy lives it can become easy to think that God doesn't exist - or that he is not in our lives. This reflection offers the challenge to slow down and listen for God in our world this Lent.
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Fasting During Lent
What it means to "give it up" for Lent
When we "give something up" for Lent, we are embracing a form of fasting, an excellent spiritual discipline. Some people choose to give up sins (gossip, drunkenness, etc) for Lent. In this way, Lent represents a spiritual training time to overcome evil.Some give up things they have an inordinate desire for, e.g. sweets, caffeine, etc. By giving these up, the person fasting learns to control a particular part of his or her life, which leads to greater self-discipline even when Lent is over. As such in Lent we are able to learn, examine, and get under control our material excesses.
Whatever you decide to fast from, remember, as Steven Clark likes to say: "Lent is more than a diet." Lent is about spiritual results, not material ones. So, while losing a few pounds may be a nice side benefit, all fasting should be done for God's glory and spiritual growth.
Click here to learn more about Lent.
Discover More About Lent
Learn more about Lent, or choose simple living alternatives for the whole year
Passion of Christ
Lenten Resources
Sites to help during Lent, or anytime
- ChurchYear.net
- Lent History, Information, Prayers, Resources, Traditions, & More
- The Beginning of Lent
- Christian History & Biography
- Our Redeemer Lutheran Church
- A History of Lent: Ancient Opportunity for Spiritual Renewal
- Faith Clipart
- Lent: A Season of Christian Fasting and Self-Sacrifice
- Bible Gateway.com
- Over 50 online Bibles in 35 languages, in text & audio format
- International Bible Society:Non-English Online Bible Resources
- We have many non-English Bibles and New Testaments online.
- Simple Living 3
- Ideas for simple living during Lent, or throughout the year.
- Easter Dating Method
- Check out this site if you ever wanted to know how the date of Easter is calculated. Put on your thinking cap, you're in for a LONG ride.
Prayer During Lent
Lent is a good time to develop or strengthen a discipline of daily prayer.
A good goal for Lent would be to read Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer everyday. If you already do that, perhaps you could add noon or night prayer (also called Compline). Contemplative prayer, based around the idea of silence or listening for God, is also well suited to Lent. There are also many excellent form prayers that reflect the penitential mood of Lent. We can also find many excellent prayers for Lent from the Scriptures.Click here for a list of prayers for Lent.
Stations of the Cross
The Stations themselves are usually a series of 14* pictures or sculptures depicting the following scenes:
1. Jesus is condemned to death
2. Jesus is given his cross
3. Jesus falls the first time
4. Jesus meets His Mother
5. Simon of Cyrene carries the cross
6. Veronica wipes the face of Jesus
7. Jesus falls the second time
8. Jesus meets the daughters of Jerusalem
9. Jesus falls the third time
10. Jesus is stripped off His garments
11. Crucifixion: Jesus is nailed to the cross
12. Jesus dies on the cross
13. Jesus' body is removed from the cross (Deposition or Lamentation)
14. Jesus is laid in the tomb and covered in incense.
Click here to learn more about The Stations of the Cross on Wikipedia.
Stations of the Cross
A puppet version of the Stations of the Cross. The puppet show is created by Jesuit Brother Edward Sheehy. The show is edited and produced by Yvonne Balcer. The show was filmed at St. Peter's Church, Jersey City, NJ in 2006
Runtime: 530
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Almsgiving/Charity/Simple Living During Lent
While Lent is about giving something up, it is also about putting something positive in its place.
The best way to remove vice is to cultivate virtue. Lent has been a traditional time of helping the poor and doing acts of charity and mercy. While as Christians this is a year round calling, Lent is a good time to examine ways to get involved and to make resolutions to actually do them.Giving alms can be done in more ways than just giving out money to people on the street. It can be done by helping your family, friends, and neighbors out of tight situations or being more generous to everyone you meet. However, one of the best ways to give alms is to get out of your comfort zone a little bit, maybe by volunteering for a charity or a shelter.
Maybe the money you save by not going for that morning coffee or restaurant lunch could be donated so that others may enjoy a nutritious meal, have a place to stay, or find a new life through counseling and rehab. Live simply, so that others may simply live.
Click here to find the charity of your choice.
Click here to learn more about Lent.
How do you observe Lent?
Click here to learn more about Lent.
Scripture Reading/Meditation During Lent
When facing temptation in the desert, Jesus relied on Scripture to counter the wiles of the devil.
It is a formidable weapon for us as well. Biblical illiteracy among Christians of all types is rampant. Lent is an excellent time to remedy this problem.Click here to find the Bible online.
Click here for daily Scripture readings and meditations for Lent.
Click here to learn more about Lent.
Share your thoughts about Lent
Was this lens helpful to you?
Click here to learn more about Lent.
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- BevsPaper BevsPaper Jun 21, 2009 @ 9:57 am
- Very nicely done!
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- MsSnow4a MsSnow4a Jun 20, 2009 @ 4:25 pm
- Very nice lens, :)
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- gods_grace_notes gods_grace_notes Jan 31, 2008 @ 2:35 pm
- Things have taken a back seat in my heart, too. The gifts we call "things" are often the "miracle" that someone in need has been crying out for, things that embody the love of Christ to them. Oh, that we all may be such instruments, during the season of Lent, and everyday of our lives. Connie *****
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- badmsm badmsm Jan 30, 2008 @ 9:18 pm
- Lent has taken on a special meaning for me since I traveled and worked in Africa. I find I don't want THINGS anymore. My extra money is usally spent to help others.
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