Lent

The English word “Lent” means “spring,” which gives a clear indication of when Lent occurs (in the “spring”) but very little about its significance for Christian people.

Lent (both theologically and spiritually) is all about Easter. Specifically, Lent is the time in which Christians prepare for the Resurrection of Jesus as Christ and Lord. It is a time in which we “make room” in our lives for this great gift. In its earliest days, Lent was kept as a fast for the Christian Passover, the two days that included the Saturday night before Easter Sunday and Resurrection Sunday. (Our own modern worship continues to reflect the significance of these two occasions with what we know as the “Easter Vigil” on Saturday night as well as Easter Sunday services.)

Nonetheless, the central defining point of Lent stems from its use as a time to prepare candidates for Holy Baptism. (Baptism is most appropriately celebrated at the Easter Vigil, a “feast” that St. Martin's keeps faithfully.) Therefore, the character of Lent is serious, reflective, purposeful, filled with the overarching anticipation reaching an important goal. From these Lenten principles come some Lenten practices, such as fasting, confession, repentance, study, disciplined renewal.

Starting as a one or two day fast just prior to the Vigil night and the Sunday celebration of the Resurrection, by the mid-fourth century Lent had been extended to forty days. This number contains the biblical allusions to the forty years that Israel spent in the wilderness before entering the promised land and to the forty days that our Lord spent in the wilderness, fasting and being tempted by Satan. [It is important to note that the forty days of Lent never include Sundays, as Sundays are always celebrations, dedicated to Christ's rising.] Yet, in our secular culture, the hard truth is that if we did not mark Lent on Sundays, very few of us would ever experience Lent or its important impact.

We observe Lent in many ways in our parish community, and there are several important changes to note that are specifically intended both to remind and assist us in our Lenten pilgrimage. For instance--

On Lent 1, the liturgy starts with the Great Litany (bcp., page 148). Written in 1544 by Archbishop Thomas Cranmer (the father of the Prayer Book), the Great Litany expresses in direct and dramatic tones the nature of what is, in fact, our Lenten audit. We seek to acknowledge how we stand with God, our neighbor, and ourselves.

On the succeeding Sunday in Lent, our liturgies will begin with the offering of the Supplication (BCP, p. 154f) as an entrance rite, leading directly into the Penitential Order (that is, the recitation of the Ten Commandments’ Litany and confession).

Changes in the Church Space: Lent brings a change in the way the church, itself, looks. Sparseness is reflected, a sign that we are called to get back to our spiritual and theological basics, making room for what is truly important: namely, God and the life God gives us. Specifically, there will be no flowers during Lent. The Paschal Candle has been removed, to reappear at the Easter Vigil. The altar is unadorned, save for a fair linen. The clergy vestments, too, are simple.

Changes in the Liturgy:

THE OPENING SENTENCES change for Lent: “Bless the Lord who forgives all our sins...”

NO “ALLELUIA'” will be said or sung throughout the season. (Remember how we “buried” the “Alleluia'” in the font on the Last Sunday of Epiphany?)

We will use the RITE ONE Eucharist both at 8:00 and 10:30. We do this for several reasons. First, it has been a custom of this parish from time to time to do so. Second, increasing numbers of new Episcopalians are less familiar with this part of the Prayer Book tradition, and we do not want to neglect it. Third, the theological perspective of Rite One is “atonement” oriented: namely, it focuses upon Christ's death making us one with God. This is a very appropriate tone for the Lenten season.

By long-standing Christian tradition, during Lent the church offers specific opportunities to deepen faith and stimulate reflection and devotion. At St. Martin', this custom is followed, too.

As Jesus began to teach people began to feel threatened. He tested their beliefs and the way of their lives. In the end they killed him on a cross. The reality is that we too suffer then die and faith shows that God makes that journey with us. The seasonal observance of this is Lent. It begins with Ash Wednesday in the dark of winter. It is a time of recognizing our need for God in our lives so that we may face life and have Him journey through it with us. God relates to our suffering because He too knows of pain and tears.

Lent (which mean springtime) is 40 days long symbolizing the 40 days of rain for Noah, the 40 years of teaching the Israel people, and the 40 days of testing Jesus in the wilderness. The liturgies of Lent are subdued with the penitential order used. Beginning and ending in silence. The color of deep purple is used to represent penitence and the deep mood of Lent.