How Are We Doing?

I remember a time in grade school when the grading system shifted. I don’t know what thinking went into it, but the marks given to students for their work changed to S, N, or U. Students’ work was “satisfactory” or “needing improvement” or “unsatisfactory.” It was a simplification of the previous grading system. That was elementary school. Concerning the spiritual life, I consider myself perpetually elementary. Over and over, we begin again. Moreover, I think it is wise to give ourselves an “N” in the art of spiritual progress: “needs improvement.” Ash Wednesday is a time to begin again. We want God to create and make in us new and contrite hearts.

To fully appreciate the practice of observing Ash Wednesday we keep in mind movement toward Holy Week and Easter. In the words of the Invitation to the Observance of a Holy Lent, “The first Christians observed with great devotion the days our Lord’s passion and resurrection.” The weeks leading up to Holy Week, therefore, are spent as preparation. Historically, new converts were in their final weeks of instruction and devotional practice, preparing for Baptism on the Eve of Easter. Those who were estranged from the church and seeking reconciliation were preparing for that reunion. Everybody active in the life of the church focused intentionally on Christ’s message of forgiveness and pardon. So, for you and me, today, Lent offers renewal as we beam in on repentance and faith.

The observances mentioned in the Invitation to a Holy Lent (BCP pp. 264-265) give a list of practices connected to this season: self-examination and repentance; prayer, fasting and self-denial; and reading and meditating on God’s Holy Word. One standard for self-examination is the baptismal covenant on pages 304-306 in the Book of Common Prayer. We find another standard in the words of Jesus recorded in Matthew 22:37-39, “He said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” You can creatively design many ways to do the work of self-examination. What about the other practices?

If we are brought to repentance, we are making a turn, a change. It is common for people to think of repentance as centering on feelings such as sorrow or remorse. Repentance however does not stop with a feeling of regret; it moves on to a course change. We stop a harmful action and move to a good one. Another practice is prayer. Clearly, more exploring and development can always be done here. Fasting requires careful research, so we know the practicalities and the theology of it. Nourishment is a matter of physical health, so we only take on such a practice, advisedly and thoughtfully. It is common for Christians to practice self-denial during Lent by giving something up for the season. We must fully dwell on the meaning of it.

Also meaningful throughout Lent is the discipline of reading and meditating on God’s Holy Word. We practice praying The Daily Office. We use Anglican Prayer Beads. There are fruitful outcomes associated with Lectio Divina or with the variety of Bible Study methods one might take up. In every category, we can reliably say we need to improve. To work at improving in these areas is to grow in joy and peace through the glory of these Forty Days.