February 19 – First Friday in Lent

Romans 12:1-3, 9-13, 21 NRSV

I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.  Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God – what is good and acceptable and perfect.

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.

…..

Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor.  Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord.  Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.  Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.

…..

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

I came across this scripture on thursday via a friend’s blog where he made the comment that “no other single passage, it seems to me, manages to gather as many aspects of the Lenten life” as this passage does.  I think that my friend is right.  If you have time take a few moments and read all of Romans 12 again (not just the parts I typed here).

Lent helps us to become the living sacrifice that Paul describes in this passage.  Lent is about more than just giving up something, it’s about depriving ourselves of things so that we can recognize our need for repentance and humility with our whole being – body and soul.

Fasting leads us to a life of repentance.  Repentance in its biblical form entails not just a forgiveness for an act of sin but also a turning of the mind.  In repentance we turn our whole selves so that we may follow Christ and not our sin.  In order to truly repent we must, as Paul says, be a living sacrifice not just once, but always.

The Lenten Fast, so says my friend, is “like all things in the gospel, is ultimately an act of love.  It is an act of love for it is a training in the sacrifice of self.  Having denied ourselves in such small things (such as abstaining form various foods and drink), we learn to deny ourselves in much larger things – such as pride and anger, self-love and envy.  By God’s grace such efforts are molded into the image of Christ – who Himself began His ministry with a fast of 40 days – and this for love.”

As you walk through this Lenten journey remember to be humble and to love others.  Ask God to help you become a living sacrifice not just today, but every day of your life so that you can truly “not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Closing Prayer:

O Lord and master of my life, take from me the spirit of sloth, despair, lust of power, and idle talk.  But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience, and love to Thy servant.  O Lord and King, grant me to see my own transgressions, and not to judge my brother or sister for blessed are you always.  Amen

– The Lenten Prayer of St. Ephrem *

* St. Ephrem (306-376) was a Christian who lived in Syria.  He spent most of his life writing hymns, poems, and other theological works.  This prayer is commonly prayed by many Christians all over the world during Lent.