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Reflections on Lent
By The Very Rev. Canon Dr. Glenworth D. Miles
Dean of St. Matthew’s Deanery

Writing on behalf of Archdeacon Howard K. Williams

My Brothers & Sisters in Christ:

Here we are again facing the holiest season in the Christian year – Lent. We often times define Lent as the "season of penitence before Easter". This in essence is not the most viable answer.

Lent began as a season not so much of penitence as of preparation – preparation for the paschal feast for everyone, but especially preparation of adults for Baptism. This period of preparation led to certain disciplines, which marked this 40-day period.

Over time, the disciplines of prayer, fasting, almsgiving and service became associated with Lent. This year I urge you all to engage in these disciplines, which are part of our Lenten pilgrimage.

Yet fasting seems to be one of those Lenten disciplines that is practiced the least. Let me focus on fasting as a discipline that can lead to a heightened encounter with our loving God.

Jesus’ fast became one of the prototypes for Lent: 40 days fasting in the wilderness. For what purpose? In this case, for discernment – for the early understanding of the sojourn in the desert was that it enabled Jesus to discern his vocation as the Christ. So Lent became also a time for discerning vocation – for listening to the direction God calls us in.

But fasting inevitably also suggests penitence. By the early middle ages, Lent was characterized practically everywhere by serious, genuine acts of penitence. The historical – and psychological – fact that penitence can be and has been abused and twisted does not cancel its value, and many Christians today are rediscovering that value: using Lent, or any time when the need is felt, seriously to confront one’s sins and express sorrow for them through acts of self-denial is healthy, holy, and healing.

Lent is a rich layered season that weaves together catechesis, preparation for the paschal feast, discernment of one’s path, one’s vocation (which all Christian share by virtue of Baptism), and personal and cooperate penance. It is thus entirely appropriate to devote Lenten time to study and meditation on Scriptures and the teachings of the church; to fervent prayer for discernment and real self-oblation; and to save acts of penitence.

Fasting, really is a symbol of all these. Lent began around fasting, and has always retained that character. But fasting is only secondarily about discomfort, though, if that deepens anyone’s empathy for those who are always in need of bread, it can hardly be faulted in itself.

Fasting is above all about emptiness – about clearing our body, mind, and soul in order to make room for God. Christ "emptied himself," says the beautiful hymn in Philippians. That emptying, that Kenosis is a profound template source for Christian spirituality. Lent is our season for accepting the honor.

This Lent let us therefore make room for God in our hearts by intentionally taking on a responsibility, a discipline, an activity that points us away from self and toward our brothers and sisters of the larger human community.

Whatever discipline we engage in this Lent, the objective is the same: that we become more faithful in our service to God to our neighbor, and more confident in our proclamation of the abiding love of God for us and all creation.

Here at St. George’s on Wednesday evenings in Lent at 7:30 pm, I will lead Lenten Reflections on the topic ‘The Dogma of Hell and How To Avoid It.’ Friday evenings in Lent we will walk the stations of the cross at 7:00 pm. Similar opportunities are being provided by the four Deaneries in the Archdeaconry. Please contact your local Deans or log on to the Archdeaconry web site for further information. On behalf of the Archdeacon and your fellow Deans…

May you have a Holy Lent.