REMEMBER LENT

The First Friday of Lent


The sooty cross is probably gone from your forehead by now, the day of strict fast and abstinence has passed. Lent is here with its rich altar frontals and stately hymns. We’re supposed to fast every day and not eat meat—when—on Fridays? Wednesdays and Fridays? The Prayer Book, I think I was once told, says something about it…

So we settle into Lent. A few liturgical rules to remember, an occasional pleasure laid aside: it’ll be Easter before you know it. So before you have a chance this year to say “Is it Palm Sunday already?” let me suggest that you make a habit of Lent. Remember Lent in your daily life.

Years ago, Shirley Weissmuller, Brother Michael Priebe and I went to Costco one afternoon. We were buying some supplies for a parish “feeding program” we ran for the homeless. When got there, Brother Michael went to the food counter and bought himself one of those fat, foot-long hot dogs and, as we made our way through the store, he idly chewed at it. He was almost finished when Shirley, with a big smile, asked “Does that taste any better on Friday?” He almost chocked on the bite already in his mouth (my mind immediately sprang to that verse in the Psalter “But while the meat was yet in their mouths, the heavy wrath of God came upon them, and…He slew them.” Fortunately, the Lord was more forgiving of Brother Michael than he was the grumbly Jews in the desert). “I forgot it was Friday,” he apologized. It’s easy to do. To benefit as best we can, we have to “remember Lent.” To remember, to keep it in heart and mind, we need to do something. This may help:

The Common Prayer Book has a Daily Collect for Lent, on page 124 . It’s to be said at every service, Matins, Vespers, and the Mass, every day of the season:

Almighty and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that Thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all those who are penitent; Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of Thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

It’s a good prayer, easy to memorize. If you add it to your other daily prayers (if you don’t say prayers every day, consider this and the Lord’s Prayer twice a day through Lent), you’ll learn it in no time.

Now, if you want a rubber-hits-the-road Lenten Prayer consider this one. It’s called the Lenten Prayer of St Ephrem the Syrian (usually I’d go off explaining fascinating facts about the saint, but I’ve given up Excessively Irritating Erudition for Lent). His prayer is said at the beginning and ending of each service in the Orthodox Churches throughout the Great Fast:

O Lord and Master of my life,
take from me the spirit of sloth, despondency,
lust of power, and idle talk;

But grant rather
the spirit of chastity, humility, patience, and love
to thy servant.

Yea, O Lord and King,
grant me to see my own transgressions,
and not to judge my brother;
for blessed art Thou unto the ages of ages.

It you add the Prayer of St Ephrem to the Lord’s Prayer twice a day, you won’t be able to forget it’s Lent. And whatever I have to say in these meditations, the thoughts you’ll have as a result of saying these words regularly, as the prayer moves from your lips to your heart and mind, will be far more profound.

Remember Lent. Pray it. You won’t then fail to keep it.