Why "Prepare" for Lent?

It really isn't something we have done historically in our tradition.  So why bother with it?  I have heard these kinds of questions before and it does give me pause.  However, it may be that we are missing something that is so integral to the way of Scripture itself that we fail to take advantage of the  calendar.

Scott McKnight comments on the practice of Lent this way:

"Some (low church) folks roll their eyes when they see that word "Lent" in the title of this post, and other (often high church) folks said, "Ah, yes, something for all of us." The Church calendar is designed to embody the gospel itself on an annual basis: we begin the birth of the Messiah and then through a season called Epiphany and then we move into Lent and Holy Week with focus on Good Friday and Easter, and then we head for Pentecost and the rest of the year is called Ordinary Time. Ordinary Time is designed to focus on various elements of the Christian faith and mission.

How do you prepare for Lent? Or how will you prepare for Lent? Or, from another angle, why do you not prepare for Lent?

Well, some will say, the NT doesn't teach a church calendar and so there's no need for it. To which I (really not "I" but the Church) say, "Hold on, dear friend." God so ordained Israel's life so that it would re-live and embody the great saving events in God's relationship with Israel. So, let's begin right there: God evidently really does care to institutionalize saving events into a calendrical form. The Christians, from very, very early, wisely restructured the calendar to be shaped by the saving events in the life of Jesus."

You can find McKnight's comments here. 

The larger tradition of the church has find great value in re-enacting the great works of God through Jesus Christ.  The practice of Lent gives concrete place in our life for relinquishment, repentance, sober reflection, and recounting the core of our faith.  All in all, these are things that healthy Christians should do--at least on a yearly basis!

I hope that you will take the time to participate in Lenten reflections this year with others.  

This blog will be a simple resource for daily reflection and prayer.  Beginning Ash Wednesday, 17 February, a new post will appear here.  You are invited to come, read, and reflect on the post.  Join us and participate in a virtual community as we move toward Easter!