“In you, LORD my God, I put my trust. I trust in you; do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame, but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause. Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Remember, LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old." ~ Psalm 25:1-6
Lent is nearly upon us with Ash Wednesday this February 6. Like Advent, making space for Lent is something fairly new in my relationship with God. Last year I attended my first Ash Wednesday service in Cape Town. This weekend I have been reading and reflecting some more on Lent in preparation for the weeks ahead. My prayer and desire is to make effort to posture my heart for the themes of Lent. Part of my preparation has been reading a bit of what St. Benedict teaches on Lent in his Rule of Life. He says, “the life of a monk ought always to have the character of a Lenten observance.” For St. Benedict Lent was the model for the monastic life of those striving to live under the Rule.
St. Benedict proposes the following Lenten practices in the Rule: 1) refraining from sin; 2) prayer with tears; 3) holy reading; 4) repentance; 5) abstinence from food. Of course, these practices and posture are important year round, but during Lent they can take on increased attention and discipline leading up to Easter. Perhaps these timeless Lenten principles from St. Benedict can help us rediscover fresh and renewed meaning and experience in Lent.
I confess that I am experiencing some tension and reluctance in my desire to dive deeper into Lent this year. As I consider the five practices above, I would rather avoid some of them. The focus on sin, tears, repentance, and abstinence is not easy. My watered down understanding of Lent is a much easier path. This morning Psalm 25 is especially significant as I consider Lent.
Lord, show me your ways, teach me your paths, and guide me in your truth! You are God my Savior, and my hope is in you!
What an appropriate prayer of hope and trust in the Lord as we enter this Lenten season of 2008!
St. Benedict proposes the following Lenten practices in the Rule: 1) refraining from sin; 2) prayer with tears; 3) holy reading; 4) repentance; 5) abstinence from food. Of course, these practices and posture are important year round, but during Lent they can take on increased attention and discipline leading up to Easter. Perhaps these timeless Lenten principles from St. Benedict can help us rediscover fresh and renewed meaning and experience in Lent.
I confess that I am experiencing some tension and reluctance in my desire to dive deeper into Lent this year. As I consider the five practices above, I would rather avoid some of them. The focus on sin, tears, repentance, and abstinence is not easy. My watered down understanding of Lent is a much easier path. This morning Psalm 25 is especially significant as I consider Lent.
Lord, show me your ways, teach me your paths, and guide me in your truth! You are God my Savior, and my hope is in you!
What an appropriate prayer of hope and trust in the Lord as we enter this Lenten season of 2008!
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