A Holy Lent

I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the
observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance;
by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and
meditating on God's holy Word. (Book of Common Prayer, p. 265)

Ah, yes. Lent. Here we go again, right? Self-denial, dirge-like hymns, unrelenting solemnity. Is that really what this is supposed to be about? Well, no. Not exactly. Granted, from its earliest days, the forty days of Lent (not counting Sundays which are always the Lord's day!) have been a time of prayer and fasting in order to prepare believers for the Passion of our Lord. Catechumens were prepared for Baptism and the body of believers engaged in acts of penitence and piety. These days, faithful folk tend to observe Lent by "giving something up," some perceived vice like alcohol or chocolate (really? chocolate as a vice?). Many reverse that and take on something new like service in the world or contemplative practice, or, for those who like to combine physical well-being and suffering, an intense exercise program.

All of this is fine. Whatever helps people shed some of the ordinariness of life to focus more intently on their interior life is a good thing. I'm not sure all of these would help me prepare for Holy Week, but the prevalence of taking on some Lenten discipline at least indicates that people understand that their lives are too full, perhaps teetering on the edge of control, and some still, small voice is calling them to take a step back.

It is in this spirit that I will be observing a sabbath rest from social media. I am a very frequent user of Facebook and, more recently, Twitter, and am not 'giving them up' because they are a bad thing. In fact, I thoroughly enjoy connecting with friends, sharing articles and items of interest, and keeping up-to-date on the goings-on of friends near and far. No, I am taking this sabbath to free up time for me to observe a Holy Lent, to spend more time in prayer and contemplation without the distraction of status updates. The intent is that by Maundy Thursday six weeks hence, my "status" will be ready to fully enter the great triduum with a full heart and clear conscience.

One other Lenten tradition from the early days of the church is reconciliation of penitents and those estranged from the church. This theme of reconciliation will be much on my mind as Tim and I travel to the Holy Land for two weeks during Lent, over YDS's spring break. This is not just a tourist adventure, although we are both very excited about walking the roads where Jesus walked. Led by the Dean of Yale Divinity School and renowned New Testament scholar, Harry Attridge, this will be a learning experience as well as providing opportunities for interfaith dialogue among leaders of the three major faiths that claim this land as holy. I will be coordinating and writing the blog for this trip, so if you are interested in following this journey, check our website beginning on Ash Wednesday.

To each of you, I wish a rich and peaceful Lent. Until my return to other media, check this blog, the Divinity Travel Seminar blog, and, if you want to reach me, send an e-mail to me at elaine.thomas@yale.edu.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, *
and renew a right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from your presence *
and take not your holy Spirit from me.

Give me the joy of your saving help again *
and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit.

I shall teach your ways to the wicked, *
and sinners shall return to you.

(Psalm 51:11-14)