Lent. I’ve Found a Loophole!

Good news, everyone! I’ve found a way to turn the hard work and self-denial of Lent into an opportunity to gorge yourself on snack food – and still have a clear conscience!

I have an anonymous 7th century Italian monk to thank for this loophole. Apparently, he invented the ‘pretiola”, meaning ‘little rewards’, as a way to encourage children to pray during the season of Lent. He took some unleavened strips of dough and folded them to resemble arms crossing the chest – a popular posture for prayer at that time. Kids loved them, and their prayer lives were transformed too.

His invention took off and soon pretiola spread like hot cakes through Europe. When they reached Germany, their name changed to ‘pretzels’. So there you have it. Next time you have a bag of pretzels you can self-righteously pretend that you are doing something spiritual.

I’m not sure about ‘small rewards’, though. I know it’s just a week until Lent, but I hope you will forgive me for wanting large rewards, not small. I want those 40 days of discipline to have some big affects on me. At Easter, I want something to show for my
season of self-examination. I’m aiming for Big Rewards.

So, here are some suggestions for experiencing some Big Regards this Lent. Actually, this is more of an invitation than a suggestion. Please join me in dedicating yourself to the following practices starting on Ash Wednesday, February 14th.

1. Read the collection of daily meditations written by members of St John’s and freely available in print form beginning this weekend. Or look out for it on Facebook each day.
2. Attend the Lenten Suppers at 6pm every Wednesday for five weeks, beginning February 21 st . Our theme this year is ‘Legacy – What are You Leaving?’ It will be a practical and informative guide to thinking through questions like ‘How will you be remembered? How will you be leaving the world a better place than when you found it? Whose lives will you bless and how?’ Join us at 6pm for a meal together followed by a speaker on an aspect of Legacy.
3. Buy and read ‘The Night is Long but Light Comes in the Morning’, a book of daily devotions by Dr Catherine Meeks. This book that will be read all over the Diocese of Alabama. Also, register with me to be part of a small group of St. John’s members who will be meeting together once a week to discuss what you’ve been learning in the book.
4. Make very effort to attend Sunday worship during Lent and Easter. Receive the strength and encouragement that comes from Word and Sacrament each week.

So, there you have it. Not too rigorous. Remember – don’t get bent into a pretzel – these practices are to bless you, not crush you. I can’t promise anything, but I really believe that if you join me in making these commitments God will do some amazing things in your life. You will reach Easter Day with a knowledge that you have learned, changed, and have encountered God. In other words, you’ll have Big Rewards.

 

-Duncan