Burton Congregational Church

United Church of Christ

Spiritual Life

About Lent

On Ash Wednesday, the season of Lent arrives. For some of us, who weren’t raised in families where the spiritual practices of Lent were observed, this time of the church year can feel a bit foreign. We may be among those many contemporary folks who find it difficult to identify with the full meaning of Lent. If that is the case, we can begin by considering the nature of our everyday lives. Odds are that they are busy, with a routine and rhythm dictated by work and family requirements; a routine and rhythm, and a lifestyle that can be difficult to alter in any significant way. It may seem that the six-week-long Lenten season hardly has a chance making a dent in the way we live, unless it we embrace the experience of Lent as an intentional interruption of our routine.

And unless we intentionally interrupt our routine we may find it difficult to do any significant self-assessment or appraisal of our personal needs, our goals, or our understanding of who we are as one of God’s children. We’ll just keep on being too busy with life as it comes at us to notice how we live or why we live the way we do. Lent is that season for stepping back from life and looking at what we’re doing with it.

There are all kinds of spiritual disciplines that can help with this business of self-appraisal: reading, contemplation, prayer, worship, charitable service, and solitude--private time for taking stock is a central part of this discipline. If we need help gaining access to any of these practices, the Church is uniquely equipped to provide that assistance. 

The purpose of this season of Lent is not self-denial in order to accomplish some kind of acute personal deprivation or suffering (as many have understood it in the past.) Its purpose is to help move us from being completely, constantly, unconsciously immersed in our selves and in the world’s routine so that we can cultivate healthy changes which enhance our lives, free us from spiritual burdens we might be carrying unnecessarily, deepen our commitments to God and others, and prepare us for a resurrected way of living in the world: alive again in new and abundant ways.

--Pastor Harry Buch

Prayer for the Season

Behold, Lord, an empty vessel that needs to be filled. My Lord, fill it. I am weak in faith; strengthen me. I am cold in love; warm me and make me fervent, that my love may go out to my neighbor. I do not have a strong and firm faith; at times I doubt and am unable to trust you altogether. O Lord, help me. Strengthen my faith and trust in you. In you I have sealed the treasure of all I have. I am poor; you are rich and came to be merciful to the poor. I am a sinner; you are upright. With me there is an abundance of sin; in you is the fullness of righteousness. Therefore I will remain with you, of who I can receive, but to whom I may not give., Amen.