Gentle Lent

“Lent is not about giving up chocolate.”

This is my chocolate.

As Marcus Borg spoke these words to the class last Sunday morning, many heads swiveled to look at me where I was sitting in the back row. For the whole weekend Marcus Borg- theologian, professor, author- had been speaking at our church. We had a great time, and because he speaks in such a clear, gentle, and wise way, Marcus always packs ‘em in.

So since it was MARCUS saying these words and because I have made something of a point of giving up chocolate every Lent for the last fifteen years, his clear, gentle and wise words on that topic were what was causing heads to turn. After all, the speakers who come to our church every six months or so for our Lecture Series rarely challenge so directly the message we pastors preach to the congregation on a more regular basis. I think some of our folks were hoping for a fight.

I have to admit, I did want to jump up right there and give my own little speech. I know why I forgo chocolate for Lent. I have spoken about it, I have written about it, and I have revisited the decision every February. Basically, my Lenten practice is about mindfulness. I use the season of Lent as an invitation to pay closer attention to what I am doing in the world. If you want to hear me go on and on about all that, just search for “Lent” on this blog. Last Sunday I just smiled and nodded at all the faces waiting for my reaction. With expressions that seemed to carry a hint of disappointment, they turned back to Marcus.

So Ash Wednesday approaches, and Lent begins next week. And however we intend to observe the season (or not- for most of the first half of my life I thought Lent was a Catholic thing that had nothing to do with me), I think for me it will always have something to do with mindfulness. This is the season, after all, when the whole of creation seems to be shouting, “Pay attention!”

Daffodils are just coming up, if you take the time to notice. Morning light comes perceptibly earlier, if you’re up early enough to see it. On my farm, the ewes that have been with the ram are bulging noticeably, and if you are driving through farmland, you will see that early lambs are already out frolicking with their buddies, and have been for almost a month.

I appreciate what Marcus had to say about Lent. He invited us to deepen our understanding of the words we use when we talk about being travelers on the Way, and to be clear about what we mean when we are “Speaking Christian.” “Sacrifice” means finding the courage to give our lives to God wholeheartedly, regardless of the cost. “Repentance” means “to go beyond one’s current knowledge.” Repentance in Jesus’ world meant to get a bigger mind, which in our language more accurately means to get a bigger heart. And Lent comes just at the right time of year when the gentle work of “wholehearted compassion,” and the hard work of “heart growth” can come naturally, if we simply pay attention.

This is my farm.

Yes, this year I will again give up chocolate for the next six weeks. For me this is a gentle practice, like the hard and gentle work that comes to any farmer in spring. New life is coming up all around me. My heart indeed feels bigger already. So bring on Lent, with all its sacrifice and repentance. Bring on spring, with all its gentle and hard work. I love it.