Of Lent, Sacrifices and Experiments With Truth

Taken from my Myspace http://profile.myspace.com
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Well the fact that my computer just made the lengthy blog I just wrote disapear confirmed the decision I just made!

Alright, to try again, although now I'm angry because I put a lot of thought and energy into what I wrote.

Well, to begin, for those of you who don't know, tomorrow (Wed. Feb. 21 this year) is Ash Wednesday. As I have done for the last 3 years I will go to Grace Anglican for their service. The church is near my home and they are a small and very friendly community. Perhaps the most destinctive part of an Ash Wednesday service is the infusing of the Ashes. The priest will call forward those who wish to participate and place the mark of the cross either on your hand or forehead with some ashes. In doing so he will say, "remember from ashes you have come, to ashes you will return." It is a reminder of our frailty as humans. Each of us will die.

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season of Lent; the 40 days which lead up to Easter. The 40 days commemorate the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness being tempted by Satan. They also remind us of the 40 years Israel spent in the wilderness because of their sinfulness and stubborness. During Lent we too, in a sense enter the wilderness. The ashes which are used for Ash Wednesday traditionally come from the burning of the palm branches used in the previous years Palm Sunday service. On one day crowds cheer and herald Jesus as a king. A week later Jesus is nailed to a cross as an enemy of the state at the wish of the crowd.

It was in order to deal with the sinful condition of humanity that Jesus entered our world, the wilderness and ultimatly went the way of the cross. So during Lent we too enter the wilderness and recognize that the hope of Easter came at a price. Grace is not cheap as Detrich Bonhoeffer puts it. During Lent we are called mourn and lament our betrayal of God. We are called to pause and examine ourselves.

A significant tradition during the time of Lent for many is fasting. This can be in a variety of forms. Each year I choose something to give up for the season. Something that is significant for me. Something I will notice often. It is not the thing itself that is necessarily the issue. It is what sacrificing it will do for me. It in a sense becomes an icon for me. A regular, repeated reminder of the sacrifice made for me by Jesus. This year I have decided to give up Myspace and Facebook for Lent. It is not that such a sacrifice is meant to compare with the sacrifice of Jesus, rather they are something I use daily and regularly. This makes them very good things to give up as they will provide a constant reminder of the sacrifice made by me.

At the same time, these sacrifices provide a dual significance. I have begun to feel that perhaps my usage of Myspace and Facebook has perhaps become exessive. So, giving these up for a short period will become an 'experiment in truth' (an idea I reflected on in a previous blog). Perhaps at the end of the Lenten season I will permanantly change my use of Myspace and Facebook. Maybe I won't. We'll see, it is an experiment :).

So, let me close by encouraging you to think about finding some way to make Lent meaningful for you. Think about giving something up. Remember, what you choose need not necessarily be something 'evil' or something you have a problem with (although such things are probably good canditates for what you might want to consider as first pics). What you choose is mainly something that will be a constant reminder of Jesus' sacrifice to you (so giving up playing World of Warcraft wouldn't be a good pic for me, but it might be for some of you ;) ).

Anyways, I ask that you think of me when you see my pic on your top 8 (I should be on your top 8!) Or else when you don't see it because you've joined me in this experiment, think of me when you get the urge to sign in. Think of me and pray for me. I would appreciate that immensly.

To Kev and Brenda, I better get emails from you and still see you on msn. I miss you both and love you both a ton!

Anyways, I'll see you all on here (most likely) after Easter. I look forward to responding to your comments then.

Goodbye.