Lenten ideas

The goal of life is theosis (divinization): literally this is a union in love as Jesus, God the Word, "becomes flesh" in each of us. It means participating in what Jesus is—and we are actually a God-filled human. Other metaphors to describe this include “being holy,” “salvation//healing” or being loved by and loving God as His child. The entire church together is called the Bride of Christ—the union of husband and wife (the core of marriage) means that the two become one. Hence, with Jesus and the church there is real unity of God and Humanity.

FAQ

Does union with God diminish my humanity? No, it diminishes the power of sin and death, which eat away at my humanity. It enhances my humanity in beauty and goodness.

Does union with God entail heroic acts of otherworldliness? No, it frees me from the dehumanizing ‘worldliness’ of original sin and it redeems every part of life.

What does Lent have to do with this union? The Last Sunday of Epiphany proclaims the metamorphosis of Jesus in the Transfiguration. It is the manifestation of the divine light within Him, which is also to be in us. This light heals our brokenness and raises us from the grave. Union with God destroys the power of death and frees us from all those things which negatively impact us.

THE PROGRAM

In Lent we admit that we are separated from God. We focus on one of the barriers in particular. We engage in a “disciple practice” (or discipline) to cooperate with the Holy Spirit. Over six weeks, hopefully, this practice removes the barrier.

The movement of Lent includes removal/emptying and acquiring/filling.

1.     Removal: “Fasting” or "Self denial" is giving up something or removing something in one of the dimensions of your self.

a.     Physical Realm. This discipline aims to quell the urges and desires, but also includes health needs. Fasting (not eating for a set time period or abstaining from particular types of food or drink) is an ancient practice. It is a way to get freed from obsessive eating or drinking—a direct assault on gluttony. It can also quiet the body and open the soul in prayer. Fasting from types of noise are also helpful (like radio, TV, cell phone, computer). Literally not filling your head with competing images or sounds allows a quieting of the soul. Anything that breaks our addiction to pleasure and obsession with ourselves is a worthy pursuit.

b.     Social realm. Are there people who bring you down? Or who pull you away? Are there folks with whom you need to spend less time? Look at your schedule. Are there activities which increase your stress, increase negativity, or diminish your faith, hope and love? Are there places you should avoid or stop frequenting for the same reason?

c.      Financial. If you had to ask Jesus for the charge card would He smile about the purchase? Are there things you could stop purchasing for a while and benefit yourself and others? Where is greed or avarice at work? 

d.     Intellectual. What ideas are you inputting? Who is instructing your world view? Are there thoughts you should be cutting out to make room for more helpful thoughts?  

e.     Emotional. Are you addressing the triggers to negative emotions? Harsh self judgement, negative thoughts, worries and anxieties? Are there practices which keep you from receiving and giving love?

2.     Acquisition:

a.     The fasting allows you to make conscious choices to eat right and proportionately. It allows us to embrace exercise (physical and spiritual) to “fill us” in ways that “junk food” never can.

b.     Find a way to create “soul friendships” with people who are truly supportive to your growth. Maybe attend Morning Prayer or a Bible Study? Meet with a small group to pray and talk about the challenges of life.

c.      Alms. Give to the needy—it creates gratitude. There are few things more central to the Judaeo-Christian life style. If I have plenty I can provide for those who do not have enough. We support persecuted Christians, hungry, needy, old and young. Find something you feel passionate about and volunteer time or give money.

d.     Read. Study. Listen to podcasts. Go to Bible study or Sunday School. Research indicates that the average person needs to hear four positive things to balance out one negative thing. Our prayer and study connect us to God.

e.     Quiet time with God trusting in His love and mercy can increase hope and joy. I must face myself: studying my personality, my wounds and fears, my motivations and desires, my strengths and virtues. We are all a mix of light and dark.   

The acts of giving up cokes or chocolate can be a great Lenten discipline or a free-floating practice at the periphery of our life. “Giving up” is an opening, but for the purpose of “getting into”… We must find ourselves and give ourselves to God. We must find the resistance within us and allow the Holy Spirit to work God’s mercy in us.

Salvation as healing is something we all understand. Medicine is like grace—it comes to us and we cannot earn what it does. But cooperation with the grace (following the directions on the medicine) helps to make it more effective. Sleep, nutrition, etc. supplement the power of the medicine to heal us. The Holy Spirit is God’s medicine. Lent is a season of renewed cooperation. It is a time to be socially, intellectually, physically, emotionally more healthy. It is a time to offer all these dimension to God (spiritually healthy) and allow His hand to be upon us. We are not angels (pure spirits) who can focus on “spiritual stuff” in isolation from our whole being. Nor can we focus on ourselves in total disregard for the world and others. (“It is not good for the man to be alone” reminds us we are created to be part of an “us”) Lent is an all in this together season. It is a season of being made whole and holy (or better, to advance on the path to wholeness and holiness).

Pray more. Love more. Thank more. Repent more. Listen more. Praise more.

Complain less. Hate less. Begrudge less. Sin less. Talk less. Worry less.
And pray that everyone has a successful journey into God’s heart this lent!