I know it’s a few days late, but you can start whenever you want. I know it’s typically considered a Catholic tradition, but there is nothing denominational about fasting (or abstaining) or spiritual introspection. I have been a part and heard of many traditions (e.g., my former Baptist churches) that recognize the Lenten season.
Our minister (Unity) always comes up with fascinating ways for us to think about Lent. Last year he quoted “Let’s Eliminate Negative Thinking.” So I offer the parable he shared with us on Ash Wednesday (Feb. 25th, 2009):
“An elderly Cherokee Native American was teaching his grandchildren about life . . .
He said to them, “A fight is going on inside me, it is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One wolf is evil—he is fear, anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, competition, superiority, and ego.
The other is good —he is joy, peace, love, hope, sharing, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, friendship, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.
This same fight is going on inside you, and inside every other person, too.”
They thought about it for a minute, and then one child asked his grandfather, “Which wolf will win, Grandfather?”
The Elder simply replied, “The one you feed.”
Lent doesn’t have to be about giving something up; it can be about adding, or focusing, on something you want: a new habit, way of thinking, or activity. Either way consider taking this reflection period to nourish the people, ideas, practices, and dreams you want and to release and deny those you do not.
nala
I used to do the same ol' same ol' using the Lent to give up sweets or soda and silly things like that. Lately the focus in my church (Episcopal/Anglican) is to take something on, instead of the traditional giving something up. So now I am going to try and make it to Bible study regularly.
March 6, 2009 at 5:23 pm