LENT 2025 • A SEASON OF PREPARATION
Introduction
Missio Dei's attendees come from diverse spiritual backgrounds, including Charismatic, Presbyterian, Baptist, Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Methodist, and others, as well as those with no formal spiritual upbringing. While there's often a keen awareness of our distinctions, our shared history is often less understood. The annual observance of Lent at Missio Dei often raises questions that I’d like to address here.
Missio Dei's primary focus is not on innovative methods of "doing" church, but rather on faithfully adapting established practices of "being" the church within an ever-changing context. This necessitates prioritizing our shared beliefs with other followers of Jesus over our differences. To understand our approach to Lent and our involvement, let's delve into its purpose, its past, and its practices.
Purpose
Ash Wednesday marks the start of the Lenten season, a time for Christians worldwide to prepare for Easter by reflecting on their mortality and reconnecting with God through prayer and fasting. The church comes together during this period to remember the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the most significant event in human history. By abstaining from earthly pleasures, Christians are reminded to place their trust in God, who remains eternal.
Past
The observance of Lent, a 40-day period excluding Sundays, draws its significance from both Biblical stories of Moses' 40 days on Mount Sinai and Jesus' 40 days of temptation in the wilderness by the devil.
The Council of Nicea formalized the observation of Lent in 325, although its origins can be traced back to the practices of Jesus' Apostles in the 1st Century. Before 325, the Lenten season was used to prepare baptismal candidates for Easter baptism, and repentant congregants were marked with ashes to symbolize repentance and their preparation for restoration at Easter. In addition to these preparations, fasting and prayer were practiced consistently in churches up until the 900s.
By the 900s, there were often violent theological disagreements and lack of charity between the Eastern and Western Church. This influenced the Western observation of Lent, shifting the focus from strictness to the grace of the Holy Spirit. Entire congregations, rather than specific sinners, were marked with ashes of repentance. Fasting and prayer became invitations to observe, not obligations to fulfill.
The Reformation of the early 1500s emphasized a return to the core of Christian faith. This movement rejected the idea that Christians had to perform righteous deeds to earn God's favor. Reformed Christians believed that Jesus' work was the central and undeniable focus of faith. The Lenten season is an opportunity to proclaim and practice such a focus.
Although variations exist, most Christians have a history of practicing Lenten traditions. At Missio, we embrace this tradition and aim to honor God through our Lenten observances.
Practice
The following are practices to consider during the Lenten season.
Ash Wednesday
This unique gathering kicks off the Lenten Season. It is a special gathering that reminds us that our cravings for life and joy often go unmet in a world that is broken. We will spend time observing songs and prayers that guide us in the meditation that although we were created for eternal life from the dust of the creation, we are groaning for the full redemption that Christ promises at His return. It is a reflective occasion and an invitation to consider our limitations and mortality.
Fasting
Fasting has been used by Jesus' followers to focus on their reliance on Jesus over earthly pleasures. Partial and regular fasting are two common fasting methods.
Partial fasting is the abstention from certain types of pleasurable foods and activities. The fasted foods in the Bible include, but are not limited to pleasant breads, meats, and alcohol (Dan. 10:3) and the activities include such things as sexual activity (I Cor. 7:3-6).
The most common form of fasting is regular fasting. Regular fasting includes the drinking of water, but the avoidance of meals. Fasting is intentionally abstaining from food to remind yourself that you depend on God for sustenance. This is especially important in our culture where we have access to so much food. We should remember Jesus's teachings about fasting as we practice it. He says,
“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you” (Matt. 6:16-18).
Discomfort isn't necessarily bad, and fasting can be a beneficial way to remind ourselves of this. It helps us recognize the deep connection between our physical and spiritual selves.
Holy Week
The final week of the Lenten season, also known as “Holy Week,” commences on Palm Sunday and encompasses the concluding days of Jesus' earthly life. This week is marked by significant events, including the Passover Meal on Thursday evening, our Good Friday gathering, a unique prayer gathering for Holy Saturday, and the joyous celebration of Resurrection Sunday.
To aid in the observance of Passover, a comprehensive guide will be provided as Holy Week approaches. The guide will include historical context, instructions for the Passover meal, and explanations of the symbolic elements involved in the celebration.
As always, we emphasize that there are no rigid regulations for observing the Lenten season. Participation should be guided by a spirit of grace and joy, allowing individuals to connect with Jesus in a meaningful way. The focus should be on reflection, repentance, and spiritual renewal, rather than strict adherence to rules.
Whether through prayer, fasting, acts of service, or other forms of devotion, the Lenten season offers an opportunity to deepen one's relationship with God and prepare for the celebration of the Resurrection of Christ.
Pastor Kurt Hannah