Donna Putney

This past week the Christian faith community began their 40-day journey toward Easter with a day of fasting, repentance and a snowstorm. We mark our foreheads with dust (ashes), we acknowledge that we die and return to the earth. At the same time, the dust traces the life-giving cross indelibly marked on our foreheads at baptism.

While we journey through Lent to return to God, through our baptism, we know that we have already been reconciled to God through Christ. We humbly pray for God to make our hearts clean while we rejoice that “now is the day of salvation.” Returning to our baptismal call, we more intentionally bear the fruits of mercy and justice in the world.  

During these 40 days, our focus as followers of Jesus is to be active in almsgiving, fasting and praying. Almsgiving during this time, and hopefully always, involves your willingness to share your time, talents and monetary gifts with others. And when we do this, we are not to be boastful, but keep our giving private and expect nothing in return, for our reward will be in heaven.  

We are also being invited to pray intensely, to engage in an intimate conversation with God. You may want to experience some alone time with God during these 40 days. Finding time to be completely present with God is a great way to find what your heart may be searching for during this time of lament. God with us.  

Fasting is the third element of honoring the 40 days of Lent. When we fast, we may consider giving something up. Possibly something that is time consuming or costly (social media/daily treats), that we can probably live without. By giving up this time consuming activity or expensive treat, we may have more time to do things for others or use the funds to help someone in need.  

Lent is meant to be a time of reflection. A time to evaluate where we were, where we are now, and where we hope life will take us. Throughout these past couple of years, it has become evident to us that we are not in control. Life as we knew it was changed with little notice. But as of today, we can look back over these 24 months and see that we have persevered. Many things have changed and we have learned to adapt. In reality, we had no other choice. We were overcome with darkness, but darkness does not win. Jesus Christ, the light, will guide us through the storm.

The Dalai Lama said, “There are only two days in the year that nothing can be done. One is called yesterday and the other is called tomorrow, so today is the right day to love, believe, do and live.” 

The invitation of the gospel frees us from the never-ending and self-centering cycle of past and future by pushing us into the grace we know in this present time. Our disciplines help us to pause long enough to see that Christ has already brought us this far by grace and releases us from our future worries. We are free to rest and serve in the present moment until we are filled to overflowing with love and praise.  

A second option of discipline for this Lent is a suggestion from Fr. Ken Saunders. He states: “This Lent, keep the chocolate and give up Bigotry, Judgment, Misogyny, Hatred, Bias and Divisiveness! Love God, Love your neighbor. No exceptions!” And to this I say … AMEN!

(Donna Putney is Pastor at Hope Lutheran Church in Powell.)