LENT 2026
During the season of Lent, Christians have been traditionally encouraged to practice the spiritual disciplines of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Many are familiar with the choice to read a daily Lenten devotional, to “give up” something as a form of fasting or to be more generous with sharing one’s resources with those in need. I was inspired by the reflections below to deepen and expand my perspective on how these formational disciplines might be incorporated into one’s Lenten journey. Perhaps they will help you think more expansively as well.
Prayer How might one not just pray, but seek to “become” a prayer? Recently a group of Buddhist monks making a U.S. pilgrimage for peace showed us the way: The Walk for Peace was never only about 2300 miles. It was about how we respond to difficulty. How we treat those who oppose us. How we carry compassion, even when it is not returned. Peace is not somewhere we arrive. It is how we travel. (Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara)
Fasting From the Vatican comes this invitation: I would like to invite you to a very practical and frequently unappreciated form of abstinence: that of refraining from words that offend and hurt our neighbor. Let us begin by disarming our language, avoiding harsh words and rash judgement, refraining from slander and speaking ill of those who are not present and cannot defend themselves. Instead, let us strive to measure our words and cultivate kindness and respect in our families, among our friends, at work, on social media, in political debates, in the media and in Christian communities. In this way, words of hatred will give way to words of hope and peace. (Pope Leo XIV)
Almsgiving The word “alms’ is derived from the Greek word for compassion. Giving alms is the practice of intentional sharing of our “treasure” with those in need. Over the last several months of the federal immigration crisis, our Christian siblings in Minneapolis have demonstrated that, at times, what God asks us to give is more than we ever thought possible. They have borne faithful witness to a radical “love of neighbor”, which has called forth a depth of solidarity that has shown itself not only in financial generosity, but in life-transforming gifts of time, energy, courage, compassion, showing up and speaking out. How might such a radical love of neighbor, perhaps previously unconsidered, be calling to you this Lent?
Blessings on the journey, Pastor Annette