We can get competitive with one another and social media doesn’t help. As such, we fight the temptation to make Lent more about what we are giving up than why we are giving it up. We also know that few will join us, making it even more appealing. We enter the journey expecting to be forged in the fire of prayer, devotions, liturgies, self-denial, etc.
I am not unlike many a young (ish), male, Anglo-Catholic, embracing the traditional disciplines and practices of our faith the way other young (ish) men embrace the Marine Corps. Perhaps this is why I look forward to Lent they I way I used to welcome football – it is intense, and rewarding, spiritual exercise. Ascetic comes from the Greek meaning exercise. These demands aren’t for the sake of themselves by demanding more from us, the Church prepares us for a deeper experience of the Mystery of Faith. Every season of the Church, properly observed, makes demands on us. Most of all, I love it because the season demands something from me. I look forward to Lent the way I used to look forward to football season.
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