The season of Lent is upon us once again. Lent is a time to focus on repentance, that is, turning back to God. The Church has always known that one of the best ways to turn toward God is to turn away from ourselves. Martin Luther put it well in his lectures on the book of Romans by saying that “Scripture describes man as so curved in upon himself that he uses not only physical but even spiritual goods for his own purposes and in all things seeks only himself.”*
It is precisely this problem, the being “curved in” toward our own wants and needs, that often leads us away from God’s will. We often reach for things we should not; not because they are bad, or that we are exceptionally bad, but because we are compelled by our wants more than by our beliefs about what is right or best. The Church has used the practice of fasting to help Christians turn their backs on themselves so that they can turn toward God, that is to repent.
Fasting is a traditional practice in the Lenten season. It is customary to make a choice to repent in some place in one’s life while we await the celebration of new life that comes with Easter’s celebration of the resurrection. I encourage you to fast this Lent, to choose repentance in a tangible way. Pick something that you’re not sure you can live without and let it go. Turn your back on yourself, not as a form of punishment, but as a way to free you up to turn toward God. He is dependable and trustworthy. He will see you through every hardship, even the ones we get ourselves into through our choices. Fasting can be an eye opening spiritual experience if you let it.
Fasting may help us address the way we are curved into ourselves, but that is not all there is to repentance. Repentance is only complete when we turn to Christ. He alone is our righteousness and our salvation. He is the only just judge. I invite you to participate in Evening Prayer services on Thursday nights throughout Lent. Every week in Lent we will focus on a section of Luther’s Small Catechism, reacquainting us with the core beliefs of our faith. After each service there will be a short time of instruction and prayer using a simple form that can serve as a guide for your home and group prayer and devotional time. I hope you’ll join us.
*This quotation can be found in Luther’s Works, vol. 25, p. 345, as well as pgs. 291-92. Talk to Pr. Kevin if you would like to learn more about this topic.
Lenten Vespers Services
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Luther Club
