As a Unitarian Universalist, I count “Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to love our neighbor as ourselves” as one of my many sources of inspiration. I count myself among the Unitarian Universalist Christians who “freely follow Jesus” (see: UU Christian Fellowship) — I love Jesus, his teachings and message, even though I’m not sure I believe in God. So each year I participate in the Christian tradition of Lent– the time between Ash Wednesday (which fell on Feb. 10 this year) and Easter Sunday (which falls on March 27 this year). This is a time of preparation for the holiest day of the Christian calendar; a time of reflection and contemplation about oneself, one’s relationship with God, and one’s relationship with others. In mainstream culture, Lent has become just another excuse (or opportunity) to shed a vice (like chocolate, beer, or Facebook)–not particularly more significant than a fad diet challenge.
I’d like us–those of us who practice Lent or identify with the Christian message of love–to reclaim Lent as more than a weight-loss challenge. Pope Francis encouraged followers to “give up indifference.” In last year’s 2015 Lenten Message, the Pope wrote: “Indifference to our neighbor and to God also represents a real temptation for us Christians. Each year during Lent we need to hear once more the voice of the prophets who cry out and trouble our conscience.”
For me, this year I’m giving up using the Internet on my phone. It seems silly, but I found in recent months that I’ve been constantly on my phone, checking, and heaven forbid I allow some notification to sit idly for more than a few minutes without being clicked! It became mindless–the opposite of mindful–I found myself losing precious time in the moment, with my partner, my friend, my child, or myself. So I decided to eliminate from my phone any “push notifications” and only access the internet when taking the time to do so on my computer. When I find myself pulling out my phone, I am triggered to have a moment of mindfulness, to take a few deep breaths, and say a centering or connecting prayer.
What do you need to give up– or add– as a challenge to yourself to be in deeper connection with the world, with others, and with that which you consider Holy? What automatic things do you do mindlessly– Eat? Smoke? Drink? Complain? Gossip? Worry? — These are only some of the things you could consider eliminating for a period of time, as a practice of reconnection. Remember that when you eliminate something, you need something to replace it! So, replace your vice whenever you feel the urge, with something positive–Read, pray, meditate, breathe, journal, color, or consider all the good things in your life. It can be a miraculous practice.
Some of my UU colleagues have created the #UULent hashtag and challenge to encourage daily reflections and photo opportunities to explore different Lenten themes in community on social media. See the image below for details…
If you wish, join me in any, either, or some other Lenten practice. If you take it seriously for 40 (or so) days, you’ll find that when Easter arrives, you’ll be more aware of the blessings of life, renewal, and spring!
See you in church (on March 20 after my Maternity Leave is over…) -Rev. Christina