Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent.
This evening, I will attend a special service at my church—All Saints Anglican Church of San Antonio.
In lieu of a hymn for the processional, we will chant the Great Litany. Then comes the Penitential Office and Imposition of Ashes, followed by Holy Communion. A solemn, reverent, and fitting way to begin this season of penitence.
Lent is a season of forty days, like the forty days Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness. There are six Sundays, however, that are not counted in the forty days. Every Sunday is a feast day, a little Easter, since the Resurrection happened on Sunday.
Fasting is an important part of Lent for many Christians. For health reasons, it is difficult for me to fast, though I do abstain from meat on Fridays. However, my primary entertainment is reading fiction. I don’t own a television; I don’t go to movies; I don’t participate in sports. I read—a lot (as you can tell from my reviews on Goodreads). During Lent, I abstain from all fiction and read only Christian nonfiction. Giving up fiction is a fast for me, and reading Christian nonfiction enriches my spiritual life.
During Lent, I do extra Bible reading and journal about my readings. Each year, I post my meditations from the previous year on my blog. I invite you to read my daily devotions throughout Lent.
Whatever your personal Lenten practice, may we all keep a holy Lent.