This is the First Sunday of Lent. If you have ever wondered why Lent is longer than 40 days when you count it on the calendar, remember that Sundays are feast days and don’t count as days in Lent. Every Sunday is a ‘little Easter’, a tiny break in the Lent disciplines. That doesn’t mean you should gorge on chocolate or spend hundreds on a shopping spree if those are things you gave up, of course. Sundays are just a little respite from the discipline you have chosen.
Many of us RESOLVE to give up something for Lent as a spiritual discipline. It could be chocolate, shopping, social media, or any number of other things. Some RESOLVE to take on a new discipline instead, doing things like making a donation each day, adding new Bible study, or going to church more often. In fact, some may RESOLVE to just live the season without taking on or giving up anything. The reason we RESOLVE to do any of these things is not to make us ‘better’ or ‘more holy’. They are simply ways of offering ourselves to God intentionally and perhaps more fully than we have been. It’s a way of taking time to see the light behind the clouds of day-to-day living.
Psalm 116 is one of many that speak of making vows to God. The Psalmist asks What shall I return to the Lord for all his bounty to me? The response is we lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord, I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people. (Psalm 116:12-14)
It’s easy to RESOLVE to do something for 40 days. It can be a lot harder to keep it up. The Episcopal Book of Common Prayer collect for the First Sunday of Lent acknowledges that we are weak and easily tempted to forget to follow through on our promises. It is only through the help of Jesus that we can be strong (and it’s one day, one moment, one intention at a time).
The Collect/prayer says, Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan: Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations; and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us, let each one find you mighty to save; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
LENT BOX
Throughout Lent, you can create a Lent box that may help you focus and follow through with your Lent plans. You can use a small box, or even a plastic bag or storage container, to hold the symbols you will add each week.
For this First Sunday, cut a length of ribbon, about 12” long. Tie it around your wrist every day as a visible reminder that Lent is a time for doing something different. If you prefer you can use it for a bookmark in your Bible, Lent devotional, or study. You just want it to be visible. The ribbon is symbolic of the coming funeral cloths of Good Friday and Holy Saturday. If you prefer, you can use leather lacing or even a Prayer bead bracelet (as I’ve seen some people do). This is simply something that will physically remind you that this is a special time.
Living Lent
In your prayers this week, consider what you will give up or take on for Lent this year. Ask God to help you persevere in the discipline, perhaps using the prayer above, or another that is meaningful to you. You can write you own prayer asking God to be with you as you strive to deepen your relationship this season.
Share your RESOLVE with another person. It sometimes helps to be held accountable. If someone else knows about your plan they can check with you about how it’s going. You can do the same for them. .
Use the ribbon to remind you of your promise to God.
