Lent and Why?

“28 Moses was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights without eating bread or drinking water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant – the Ten Commandments.”-Exodus 34:28.

Lent is an interesting season for Christian regardless of denomination. Practically observe by both Roman Catholic and Anglican (in Sarawak), its significance carries much weight in one’s belief. But, in order to truly grow in faith, one must ask a very important question - why we do what we do?

A very simple and straight-to-the point answer would be to follow the significant step that Jesus took prior to begin His ministry (described in Matthew and Luke’s Gospels). Why was it so significant? In order to answer that, we need to go back all the way to the Old Testament, especially, Exodus.

The passage quoted above hinted towards the idea of Lent that we Christian observes. For forty days and forty nights, Moses was with the Lord on Mount Sinai without eating or drinking. Now, this may be a simplified understanding; Lent equal to fasting. But, it is not so accurate to say the least. If we back track to several chapters, Moses’ encounter with God was cut short due to the Israelite’s disobedience in chapter 32 (the story of golden calf).

But, from chapter 20, Moses was first summoned by the Lord to go up to the Mount Sinai and spent lengthy period of time listening to the elaborated religious practices and laws, expanded from the Ten Commandments; written by God Himself on two stone tablets (chapter 32:16). After a bloody purging of disobedience lots, Moses went back up to “re-learn” the whole thing for another forty days and forty nights.

Notice that the focus here is not so much on Moses devotion of not eating or drinking but rather his devotion  on carrying his duty; which is to deliver God’s command to the people. The problem with God’s people in his time, most of them were not ready to leave Egypt (proven by series of groaning throughout their journey). God-fearing generation of Joseph and his brothers long has passed since they came to Egypt fleeing from the great seven years of famine.

Left with inadequate knowledge of the Lord for centuries, it is quite understandable why the people were stiff-necked. Now, in the entire Bible, we can see this pattern repeat itself even after the time of Jesus. That brought us to the earlier question of why we do what we do.

It is  helpful to know that the Season of Lent begins from Ash Wednesday, spanning for forty days (not counting Sundays) before Easter Sunday. Generally, Lent is the period of prayer and fasting to associate oneself with the journey of our Lord in the wilderness. But, if we were to understand it from the perspective of the Jewish reader, forty days and forty nights period carries much value than the action that follows.

In other word, for forty days (and forty nights), is the period of “seeking the face of the Lord”. This practice or discipline means a lot to aspiring church leaders but no less it be the responsibility of general Christians. For we are created for the purpose of God, hence, it is only right for us to spend time with God; to learn, to be intimate with Him.

What would bring Lent to a greater meaning and perhaps impact to our Christian lives is the relational value that it brought through the practices. However, the practices itself are not superior than the devotion based on the words of God. Which is why the Diocese of Kuching has published for the first time, Lent Devotion in the language of Iban; Peragam Lent.

Though the situation nowadays may seems to be dire for us to congregate together especially for the imposition of ashes to mark the beginning of the season of Lent, it does not mean that without it, there will be no Lent. Or on the flip-side of the argument, the practices of fasting, praying, and almsgiving (not an exhaustive list), or any other devotional practices should ultimately lead to the intimacy with our Creator.

There is one similarity to the story of Moses and Jesus spending time with the Lord for forty days; both are ready to bring the good news to the people - to lead the people out of slavery and to the promised land. With that in mind, we should carry this in our heart, that we are all pilgrims on this land; lead by our Good Shepherd to the ultimate rest. It is not wrong to practice prayer and fasting and I personally do not see any better season than Lent to intentionally seeking the Lord both in spirit and in action.

Let us, therefore, use this season of Lent to remember “you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” In our finite age of living on this earth, let us prepare for infinite time of living with our God in heaven.

Prayer

Almighty and merciful God,
you hate nothing that you have made
and forgive the sins of all who are penitent;
create in us new and contrite hearts,
so that when we turn to you and confess our sins
we may receive your full and perfect forgiveness;
through Jesus Christ our Redeemer
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God now and for ever. Amen.

Photo credit to St. Isidore Church