Devotion - Monday, March 7

Easter is the day which gives meaning to our Christian faith. It is the Resurrection of Christ which rests at the center of our beliefs and our convictions. In order to prepare for Easter, the Church has set aside a time of preparation. This 40 Day period is referred to as Lent.

Lent starts on Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday is two days away.

On this "Monday before Ash Wednesday," we have much to do. Tomorrow (sometimes referred to Mardi Gras, or Shrove Tuesday) has is particular tasks. We will come to that, tomorrow. Today is the day to look to Wednesday, and make sure we are prepared to begin our season of preparation.

I am referring to our Lenten Discipline.

A Lenten Discipline is a commitment to observe the 40 days of Lent in a way which prepares us for the Easter celebration. In the ancient church (and in some contemporary communities) the practice of fasting comes to the fore. Several years ago we had a number of our LCM students who ate no food during the daylight hours. Two years ago, a number of us committed to learning a bible verse a day. Together, we identified the verses and worked on remembering the chapter and verse of beloved passages.

It has been my experience that the Lenten Disciplines which come closest to achieving their purpose are the simple ones. Planning to read a chapter a day from the scriptures; rising fifteen minutes earlier in the morning to encounter God through prayer; or making sure that no day ends without some expression of compassion being offered to another.

Least helpful seem to be those which mimic New Years' Resolutions. While getting more exercise is a good goal, it may not be the most helpful Lenten Discipline. The same could be said for avoiding desserts, or chocolate. Clearly, any Discipline is a reminder that the season of Lent is upon us, and any reminder is a good discipline to take on. The challenge is to identify the discipline which not only reminds me, but helps me to more fully follow where my Lord has lead the way.

Today is the day to look forward to the 40 days to come. Don't let them catch you unawares and unprepared. Beware of practicing your piety before others so that they may see your good works and praise you. But, you might share your thought about a discipline with a trusted friend or prayer partner and enlist their aid in arriving at the practice most likely to be helpful to you. Certainly, fifteen minutes in prayer might help.

Today is the day to figure it out.