February 17th is Ash Wednesday. As I mentioned before, I am not in a liturgical tradition but believe the liturgical year can be a great tool in our sanctification. As far as active asceticism goes, I don’t do so well. Lent, if observed, is a good time to implement the gospel into our lives in a palpable way. Jesus stating that those who would follow him must take up their cross and deny himself (Luke 9:23). Self-denial is not something that is embraced or practiced in our culture. We are people of gross indulgence. We are gluttons for food, television, movies, video games, magazines, and all those things having to do with leisure and recreation. We are better at gorging ourselves then denying ourselves. But the mark of the Christian is, should be, that of denial. Below is a synopsis and good reflection on what Lent is about.
“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 (Germanic) 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. Thus it is fitting that the season of Lent begin with a symbol of repentance: placing ashes mixed with oil on one's head or forehead. However, we must remember that our Lenten disciplines are supposed to ultimately transform our entire person: body, soul, and spirit. Our Lenten disciplines are supposed to help us become more like Christ. Eastern Christians call this process theosis, which St. Athanasius aptly describes as "becoming by grace what God is by nature."
