Letting Go during Lent
Michael Botts of Hannover, Germany
Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat what they produce…. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare…. For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. -Jeremiah 29:4-5, 7, 11
One of the traditions of the Lenten season is fasting, and there are many reasons why fasting can be good. Fasting reminds us that our easy access to food is a luxury. It helps us concentrate on spirituality and strengthens our discipline. Fasting can be done for many more reasons. One reason is the spiritual practice of “letting go.”
When we fast by not eating certain foods, we “let go” of our normal diet. Cutting out television time and spending less time on the computer are other ways of “letting go” of what we would normally do.
This spiritual discipline of letting go should not be confused with not doing something you have done before. Not eating candy but eating more potato chips is not fasting. Watching less TV but playing more computer games is not fasting. When we fast, when we “let go” of a habit, we concentrate on something deeper within us. This can lead us to a healthy catharsis, a cleansing or purification of ourselves.
A scene in one of the films on walking the Camino de Santiago (Way of St. James) shows a young woman dumping her make-up, cosmetics, hairspray, and other toiletries after the first day of walking. She quickly learned that it is easier to walk a pilgrimage with a lighter backpack. She decided to let go of something.
Similarly, fasting during the Lenten season can help us get rid of unnecessary loads or habits which are not good for us. Sometimes, the exhilaration of letting go can also help us continue a new way of life beyond the forty days of Lent.
It’s interesting that the word discipline can have a negative meaning, such as when a school child is “disciplined.” School discipline can mean punishment in one way or the other (hopefully not physically). Spiritual disciplines such as fasting help form us as disciples in positive ways. They involve learning to free ourselves from unnecessary burdens, and opening ourselves to God’s blessings. In this context discipline is positive and can help us to lighten the backpack of burdens we have been carrying around with us.
I encourage you to share with other Daily Bread readers what you are letting go of this Lent by adding a comment to this blog. Maybe we can encourage each other to “let go” this season.
Prayer Phrase
Are we moving toward Jesus, the peaceful One?
Spiritual Practice
Gospel Contemplation (John 2:13-22)
Each week during Lent, you are invited to pray with a different gospel story from the life of Christ. Use your senses and imagination to enter the text. Allow it to come to life in you, observing details, noticing interactions, even engaging in dialogue. Notice where you find yourself in the story and how you feel about what is happening. Notice what it evokes in you or invites of you. Take time to journal or enter silent prayer to reflect on your experience and to sense where the Spirit may be leading you through this scriptural encounter.
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.
