Many Christians observe Lent by praying, fasting, and contributing help to the community; they eat only light meals or choose something else to do without. The intention is to find real and symbolic ways to release and cleanse, in order to prepare oneself, inside and out.
At Lent I allow myself to be slow, simple, and thoughtful. I take the time to notice the “thin place” where the ordinary and the sacred meet. I spend time each day in study and prayer. But I also observe Lent as a time of compassionate action.
Agenda for Lent:
It's time to discern what to put on my altar for March. (For my thoughts on altars see About Altars). I generally keep it simple and choose only things that speak to me and feed me, and reveal what I believe in. I ask, what quality of Spirit do I want to invoke? I am keeping-
- feathers, for air, wind, breath, inspiration, and spirit
- my harvest doll, for luck and protection
and today I add-
- a spring green candle, for strength, vitality, and inner growth; a color to support change, and bring new ideas into being
- a dragon, for strength and good luck
At Lent, I choose something- an activity or habit- to temporarily reduce or cut out of my life, as a reminder that what I truly need is the nurturing of Spirit. It could be evening meetings, computer games, coffee, stacks of clutter, or fear and indifference. I try to choose something that is a good symbol of how I am trying to grow.
How might I simplify my life?
What compassionate action is calling me?
What might I fast from or do without in order to prepare for the joy of rebirth?
From my journal: I feel very happy this year, but also very slovenly. I can't seem to get off the couch or away from the computer to get active. This year I want to practice finding joy in less excessive ways-- i.e., less alcohol, less sugar, less lounging around, smaller meals-- and more action to replace it: Social action, but also physical action, and creative action.
3. Fast and simplify my life:
Last year my focus for Lent was Compassion for Suffering. My focus this year is Social Action. I feel a great need to be more active in my community.
And as a symbol of that goal, I plan to fast from sitting still. (Not all together - that's just silly.) I vow to sit for no more than one hour (at the computer or in front of the TV) before I get active for awhile.
4. Practice at my theme:
My theme this month is strength against the storm.
Picture an unexpected storm; thunder shakes the earth and heavy spring rain falls- everything and everyone are surprised into creative action, and great changes are set in motion.
Just as I need my home to be in good repair to weather a storm, I need to be strong myself. When I am physically and mentally strong, I thrive on moving forward without the baggage of fears and grudges. My intentions this month:
Picture an unexpected storm; thunder shakes the earth and heavy spring rain falls- everything and everyone are surprised into creative action, and great changes are set in motion.
Shocks and sudden unforeseen problems cycle through my life like stormy weather. This is a difficult quality for me, very yang. The sudden distress scares me, but if I pause in the storm I will see that it's an invigorating place to be.
That's how I feel about the world today! This storm of an administration is the spark that will get me going, make me think and act persistently for peace and justice.
Just as I need my home to be in good repair to weather a storm, I need to be strong myself. When I am physically and mentally strong, I thrive on moving forward without the baggage of fears and grudges. My intentions this month:
- Renew a discipline of healthy diet and exercise.
- Sit less and move more.
- Step out of my comfort zone to take part in social action.
- Work in my garden a little bit everyday.
- Work creatively also, making things that tell a message
5. Daily Lenten calendar:I really like the calendars that some churches publish for Lent, with a daily reading and a task of some kind. I have made my own calendar, and the first week is posted just above this entry.
Greek children make a paper doll for Lent, called Kyra Sarakosti (Lady Lent). The Kyra always folds her hands in prayer, and she has no mouth because she is fasting. Also, she has seven legs, representing the number of weeks in Lent. Each Saturday, the children fold back a leg as they count down the weeks.
I made a Lady Lent a couple years ago that I can use each year- Now she hangs in my living room as a visual reminder of the countdown to Easter. The instructions are here.
Pretzels are a traditional bread for Lent because they are made with no dairy or eggs.
Pretzels were invented by an Italian monk as a reward to children who learned their prayers. The strips of baked dough are folded to resemble arms crossing the chest. The monks called the breads "little arms" (bracellae). From this Latin word, the Germanic people later coined the term "pretzel."
Ingredients:
- 1 pkg. yeast
- 3 c. flour
- 1 Tbsp. sugar
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 c. very warm water (130ºF)
- 6 c. water
- 4 Tbsp. baking soda
- coarse salt
1- Combine the yeast, flour, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Add 1 c. very warm water (130ºF) and mix well.
2- Turn out onto a floured board and knead until smooth. Cover with a bowl and let stand for 10 minutes.
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| Georgia making a pretzel. |
4- Meanwhile, oil 2 baking sheets, preheat the oven to 400ºF, and stir in the baking soda into a 6 c. water in a large pot. Heat the soda bath to boiling.
5- Carefully tip one pretzel off the waxed paper into the soda bath. Boil for 15 seconds, then lift out with a slotted spoon, drain, and place on a baking sheet. Repeat with the rest of the pretzels. |
| Pretzels ready to bake. |
6- Sprinkle the pretzels with coarse salt. Bake 20 minutes, until golden. Cool on a wire rack.
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