On Keeping a Holy Lent

Do you keep Lent? Are you wondering why or how to keep Lent?

Here's a really good article by Craig R. Higgins that my pastor shared with our church. I grew up in a church that didn't really observe Lent and up until a few years ago, I never attended a church that did, so I am still rather new at this. I've learned to look forward to this time to concentrate in a deliberate way on the Cross and on Christ's sacrifice on my behalf.

[update] Momma Hen @ At a Hen's Pace is asking--what are you reading to prepare your hearts this Lenten season? I will be reading all four Gospels, Louis Berkhoff's Systematic Theology "On the Person and Work of Christ" and Chapter 7 of the Westminster Confession of Faith, "Of Christ the Mediator"

Comments

[Amy from Ezekiel's Garden]

Being former Catholics, HOH and I are not keeping such a strict holy Lenten season. I think part of it is the fact that we felt too much like it was works-based, really - too much fear of going to hell for eating beef on Fridays, guilt for not giving something up, etc. Now, I'm only speaking for myself here, but I think HOH would agree with me when I say that I do feel that Lent should be a special time to focus on why Jesus came. Maybe we'll return to a greater level of sacrifice during Lent as we get farther away from our Catholic years, who knows?

Another thing is that I grew up in a Charismatic Protestant home that didn't really put much focus on Lent. Lent became meaningful to me shortly before I converted to Catholicism...

Rambling here. Maybe that would be a good topic for today - my testimony.

[At A Hen's Pace]

I didn't grow up with Lent either, but it has become so meaningful to me as an adult. (I've been blogging about it, as you know--thanks for the comment!)

We're raising our kids to view it not just as giving up things for the sake of it, but so that we can "get" other things--virtue, holiness, the fruits of the Spirit, etc.

[At A Hen's Pace]

Oh, I forgot to say--Great article!! I may link to it!!

[Marlene S.]

Thanks for the link.

Just last night, I talked with my Pioneer Girls about preparing our hearts to celebrate Easter. Wal-mart sure wants us to get "geared up" for the 'holiday'.

Noel Piper has some great ideas too, in her book, Treasuring God in our Traditions.

Thanks again for the encouragement to "concentrate in a deliberate way on the cross and on Christ's sacrifice on my behalf."