A Lenten Fast for 2010

I remember my first introduction to the concept of Lent and the Lenten season. I was a first-grader at a Catholic school near an Air Force base where my dad was stationed. One day the nuns gave each of us a cool-looking little box with a metal lid in which a slot had been made. We were told to “take up a collection for Lent.”

Silly me, I thought the nuns had said, “Lint.” So over the next forty days, I dutifully collected the lint around my house and stuffed it into my box. When the time came to turn in our boxes, the nuns were more than a little surprised (and not entirely amused) at the contents of my box.

Now that I know a litte more about Lent, I fear that many of us in the United States are making a mistake of the same magnitude. According to Wikipedia, “The traditional purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer – through prayer, penitence, almsgiving and self-denial – for the annual commemoration during Holy Week of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus...”, and “In its earliest form, Lent was an intense period of fasting and prayer for catechumens preparing for baptism at the Easter Vigil.”

I consider myself to be Evangelical and not Catholic. I am not trying to push any particular denomination or liturgy (although I like liturgy). But as I have been re-introduced to church traditions by virtue of starting again to attend Lutheran services, I thought I'd comment on some observations that occured to me upon the commencement of this Lenten season.

Last week, our pastor preached from Luke 3 about the fasting and temptation of the Lord Jesus in the desert. He mentioned the need for letting go of those things that stand between us and the will of God, just as Jesus laid aside His comforts during that fast. And some people observe Lent by giving up something during the Lenten season – whether it's 40 days without Starbucks coffee or 40 days without an iPod, or some other easily endured privation. But it occurs to me that the biggest hindrance to Christian spirituality in America is our overwhelming materialism. Here's an idea for a fast: how about giving up the unrestrained pursuit of wealth? How about giving up dreams of a bigger house or a new TV or lots of stuff? How about deciding that you will voluntarily live on $30,000 a year or less, and give any excess over and above that to those in need? Now that would be “letting go.” And many of us will wind up “fasting” this year whether we want to or not.

Lutherans and the Super Bowl

This Sunday reminds me of a day a few years ago, while I was still living in So. Cal., after I had left the abusive church I described in my first blog, TH in SoC. I had started to attend a Lutheran church a few miles from my house. Even then, I had discerned that the Lutherans were sensible, no-drama types. That's not to say, however, that they didn't have a few colorful characters in their midst.

One lady in particular comes to mind. When I met her, she was in her mid-70's at least. One Sunday after service, she asked me, "So, are you going home to watch the Superbowl?"

"Superbowl?" I repeated stupidly. Then, "Oh, yeah, it's today, isn't it?"

"Yes!" she said. "I just love watching all those bodies crashing into each other!"

That got a chuckle out of me. On a later occasion, I asked her, "So, you really like football. What do you think about soccer?"

"Soccer's for sissies," she said. "All they ever do is run around a lot."

Norma, if you're still alive and if you ever read this, I dedicate this Sunday to you. May your game-watching experience be pleasant and blessed. And may the Saints win. (What's that? You're rooting for the Colts?)