Lent Day 12
Not bragging about how long the streak is seems to be better for maintaining the streak. Oops
Today is Sunday. As I said before, I don’t do the “little Easters” concept during Lent. But that got me wondering what it was and where it came from? This one is also going to be short because while my weekend adventure ended at 5PM today, I’ve still been going from an early start, and once again, I’m tired.
Sunday is going to come whether we want it to or not. Some look at it as the last day of the week and weekend while others see it as the first day of the week. I waver depending on the mood I’m in, which is not really where I ultimately want to be.
During Lent we are in a period of fasting leading up to Easter. That day too is coming. The fast of Lent has scriptural backing in that Jesus was in the wilderness 40 days in preparation. We are mimicking our Lord and Savior in this small way. However, when each Sunday during Lent comes around, we are to worship. A day of worship is not supposed to be a solum occasion, but a joyous one. We cannot be filled with joy during our Lenten fast if we are still deep in deprivation, so the church decided to grant a reprieve on Sunday for worship just as our Saviour grants us a reprieve from our sins through faith in Christ Jesus. That’s the idea behind “little Easters.” The following scripture assumes we are miserable when we give things up, fasting. I like the idea of not telling people what we’re giving up or taking on rather than broadcasting it pridefully.
16Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
17But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
18That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
Matthew 6:16–18 (KJV 1900)
Now, how do I align what I do with that approach? First, God knows the heart and I don’t really see it as having given something up (or taking it on) if every six days I have a baked in get-out-of-jail-free card. I have endured a wide variety of things in my time on this earth. I don’t see six days of deprivation as difficult. Forty days of deprivation is hard, but I can usually manage six days of most anything. Your mileage may vary and different people are, well, different. I make zero judgments about anyone else or how anyone else does (or doesn’t do) Lent. I fully recognize I am unusual in this regard. You do you, and be honest with God.