What Have We Done to Lent?

Over the past few weeks of Lent, I have heard several people talk about what they're giving up for Lent. "I'm giving up chocolate." "I'm giving up meat." "I'm giving up dairy." "I'm giving up caffeine." "I'm giving up..." In all this I'm giving up-ness, I think we have actually lost a vital component of Lent.

Lent originated during the fourth century as a time of repentance and preparation for baptism on Easter. It later became a time in which the whole Church prepared for Easter by giving up -- not individually, but corporately -- certain practices and conveniences, in order to meditate on the crucifixion of Jesus. It is also a 40-day period to remind us of the 40 years the Israelites spent in the wilderness, the 40 days Moses spent at Sinai (Exod. 34:28), the 40 days' journey Elijah took to Horeb (1 Kings 19:8), and the 40 days Jesus fasted in the wilderness (Matt. 4:2).

In our individualistic society, we have almost completely lost the corporate dimension of Lent. We don't know what it means to fast together. We make up things to "give up" for Lent as if we're making New Year's resolutions. Because of this, it sometimes seems like people are bragging about what they're giving up for Lent. "Oh, I can't have that because I'm giving up Facebook for Lent." You can't prepare a meal for guests because you might include some obscure thing they're giving up for Lent. Others give up things that aren't a sacrifice at all (like asparagus or Brussels sprouts).

What would it mean to recapture the communal aspect of Lent? What would it take if each Body of Believers (each local church, or even small groups within a church) would covenant together to abstain from certain things (whether it be certain foods or practices) and take on other practices (such as giving to the needy, devoting more time to prayer, or fasting)? Then, you wouldn't hear, "I'm giving up such-and-such," but "As part of my small group, I've covenanted not to have such-and-such." Your church meals and potlucks would reflect the teachings of Lent. It would also provide a group of people with whom to fast, pray, and share our insights rather than everyone doing their own thing. Such a group would encourage one another to press onward together.