Lent

[Harry]

Lent is about to start, why is it that some Christians tend to ignore Ash Wednesday and the rest of Lent and focus on Christmas and Easter?

[Rey Reynoso]

I posted at the same time as your response to crazy so I wouldn't take it as a slight that I agreed with him. But why the yeahbutt? Have we gotten so insecure in our grace and freedom that we must enforce some old tradition by peer pressure to ensure that we smell Christian?

Yeah that's not a real question by the way. I still agree with Crazy so it's a meh point with me. The point of asking that last question is to show that you can slant it either way to get some sort of moral high ground but in the end, there is no high ground on a non-issue.

Otsukafan said:

Again I agree we Crazy that we are free under Grace.
I would ask further, if all of Christendom did this for 1700 years, why should you ignore it it? Why wouldn't you want to observe those forty days? Maybe not abstaining from meat and dairy and spending allot of time at your church in special services, but doing something to deprive yourself and focus on God? Have we now gotten to the point in society where depriving ourselves of anything we want for any period of time is the sin?
Rey Reynoso said:

Crazy's right.

[Crazyupstart]

Very good point. Fasting and taking a serious look at ourselves is not done near enough in "The Church" these days. I wouldn't be opposed to a time of taking that seriously in application once in a while just as a kick_in_the_but reminder as to who we are.

Otsukafan said:

Again I agree we Crazy that we are free under Grace.

I would ask further, if all of Christendom did this for 1700 years, why should you ignore it it? Why wouldn't you want to observe those forty days? Maybe not abstaining from meat and dairy and spending allot of time at your church in special services, but doing something to deprive yourself and focus on God? Have we now gotten to the point in society where depriving ourselves of anything we want for any period of time is the sin?

Rey Reynoso said:

Crazy's right.

[Harry]

For Lutherans, Lent is a somber time in the church year, the altar linen color is purple on Sundays and the alleluia’s are omitted. On Ash Wednesday, the color is black. We received Holy Communion on Ash Wednesday, some of our churches practice placing ashes on the foreheads of those desiring it. It is the Christian freedom to not have it done, but it does remind us of our own death. Our midweek services and Sunday services focus on the forty days leading up to Passion Week. We have Maundy Thursday Communion Service and a Good Friday Service at night where the altar area is stripped bare.
The hymn that is sung throughout Lent on Wednesday and Good Friday night is “Abide with Me”.
"Abide with Me! Fast Falls the Eventide"
by Henry F. Lyte, 1793-1847
1. Abide with me! Fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me!
2. Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day;
Earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see.
O Thou, who changest not, abide with me!
3. Not a brief glance I beg, a passing word,
But as Thou dwell'st with Thy disciples, Lord,
Familiar, condescending, patient, free.
Come not to sojourn, but abide with me.
4. Come not in terror, as the King of kings,
But kind and good, with healing in Thy wings;
Tears for all woes, a heart for every plea.
Come, Friend of sinners, thus abide with me.
5. Thou on my head in every youth didst smile,
And though rebellious and perverse meanwhile,
Thou hast not left me, oft as I left Thee.
On to the close, O Lord, abide with me.
6. I need Thy presence every passing hour;
What but Thy grace can foil the Tempter's power?
Who like Thyself my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, oh, abide with me!
7. I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;
Ills have no weight and tears no bitterness.
Where is death's sting? where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still if Thou abide with me.
8. Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes,
Shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies.
Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me!

[Otsukafan]

Indeed this would be sinful to try to force someone to fast under peer pressure. We are cautioned on the 2nd Sunday of the Triodian just before Lent to not be the Pharisee who bragged about his deeds and singled out the Publican. This one week the Church does not fast to remind ourselves not to be falsely confident in meritorious works or judge others. We also pray just before Pascha and breaking our fast that we invite all to feast with us whether they have come at the first hour or the 11th hour. Meaning God's grace, through us should be extended to all who fast or don't.

Just to better explain things, you do not change your mind about fasting so you fast. Rather you fast and your mind will change. Just like you don't wish to be more compassionate about feeding the poor so you'll then feed the poor, you feed the poor to become more compassionate about the hearts of the poor.

The Church offers lent as a powerful tool, not because abstaining from rich foods is lawful, but because it edifies. It is good.

Rey Reynoso said:

Have we gotten so insecure in our grace and freedom that we must enforce some old tradition by peer pressure to ensure that we smell Christian?

[JacksonS]

I think it has to do with money, you borrow it at Christmas, and it gets lent out for easter.

[Rey Reynoso]

painful.

[JacksonS]

I keep telling you, you need to get more fibre in your diet rey, then it wont hurt so much heh!
Rey Reynoso said:

painful.

[Rey Reynoso]

No, I'm saying it's a non-issue. If you want to fast, go for it. If you don't want to fast, go for it.

[Char]

My theology of eating isn't so friendly to fasting. That said, if you wanna do it go ahead.

[JacksonS]

so he thinks fasting is just personal conviction.

Seraphim Walters said:

You've been reading Romans 14 again, haven't you brother? LOL

LYB

Seraphim

Rey Reynoso said:

No, I'm saying it's a non-issue. If you want to fast, go for it. If you don't want to fast, go for it.

[Thomas Ham]

If only that was true my friend. No more TV Dinners or any easy quick stove top stuffers. Not a lot of 79 cent cheeseburgers or things of that sort. It costs money man, which is a bummer. Gotta go to the health food store and eat like a darn vegan! ;-) Well, that's just me. Most people do okay eating their starches and tomato sauce.

Also, on a serious note. We're asked to not only fast, but to do alms giving too. So, your extra money goes pretty darn quick if you follow the "ridiculous rules of the traditional churches".

JacksonS said:

I keep telling you, you need to get more fibre in your diet rey, then it wont hurt so much heh!
Rey Reynoso said:

painful.

[Harry]

In my church, the pastor never mentions money in his sermons, we don't sign pledge cards or have srewardship meetings. The money just comes in, we always make or exceed budget. We don't sell anything to raise money for the church.

Thomas Ham said:

If only that was true my friend. No more TV Dinners or any easy quick stove top stuffers. Not a lot of 79 cent cheeseburgers or things of that sort. It costs money man, which is a bummer. Gotta go to the health food store and eat like a darn vegan! ;-) Well, that's just me. Most people do okay eating their starches and tomato sauce.

Also, on a serious note. We're asked to not only fast, but to do alms giving too. So, your extra money goes pretty darn quick if you follow the "ridiculous rules of the traditional churches".

JacksonS said:

I keep telling you, you need to get more fibre in your diet rey, then it wont hurt so much heh!
Rey Reynoso said:

painful.