Lent finds wider participation among Protestants
As I was going about my day on Ash Wednesday, as well as surfing around the web, I couldn’t help but notice the shear numbers of those who were observing Ash Wednesday and talking about Lent.
And I’m not just referring to Catholics.
I’ve read several articles on “non-denominational” sites like Crosswalk, Christian Post, etc. that have articles about Lenten preparations and even Ash Wednesday observances. In fact, it seems some Methodist churches are including quite Catholic practices of Stations of the Cross and Ash Wednesday.
That more and more churches are picking up on the traditions is not at all a bad thing, and maybe we’re getting past some of the traditional Protestant objections to the Catholic observances of Lent.
A few people I spoke with today who were not Catholic asked about “giving something up for Lent” and about wearing ashes. On the question of “giving something up”, I said it’s not necessarily about “giving something up” for Lent. Rather, it’s about doing something during this time that will last not only through Lent, but will help overcome any obstacles to becoming the better person that God calls you to be.
And that’s really what the Lenten observances are directed toward. It’s not about “the church says I can’t eat meat” or that I have to “give something up”. It’s about renewal and preparing oneself for the kingdom of heaven, by removing those things that get in the way of our relationship with God, and focusing ourselves on the task of “becoming perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect”.
A prayerful and restorative Lenten season to you.
[tags]Lent, Ash Wednesday, Catholic, devotion, God, faith, church, Jesus, holy, Protestant[/tags]
[...] Over at the CatholicSource discussion forum, on the “Does the Pope bless fast-food?” thread, Ruth commented that I just find it interesting that there are parts of “mainstream” culture that are making a conscious effort to respect Catholic practice.I find the phenomenon quite interesting too. In a recent entry, I commented particularly on my observance of those concerned with Ash Wednesday; particularly non-Catholics. I’ve read several articles on “non-denominational” sites like Crosswalk, Christian Post, etc. that have articles about Lenten preparations and even Ash Wednesday observances. In fact, it seems some Methodist churches are including quite Catholic practices of Stations of the Cross and Ash Wednesday. That more and more churches are picking up on the traditions is not at all a bad thing, and maybe we’re getting past some of the traditional Protestant objections to the Catholic observances of Lent. But that’s not all. Today, I came across an article on Crosswalk.com that explained The Sign of the Cross for Evangelicals”, which practically kicked off with quotes from early Church Fathers Tertullian and St. John Chrysostom. Over time, Christians have imbued this small, simple gesture with volumes of theological meaning. Holding three fingers together — thumb, forefinger, and middle finger — as you make the sign symbolizes the Trinity. Holding the other two fingers against your palm represents the two natures of Christ, human and divine. Dropping the hand from forehead to waist to begin the gesture represents Christ’s descent to earth. The upward movement that follows represents his resurrection. And so on. And, it’s not just that folks are talking about these things. It’s more than just the former acknowledgment that “Oh, that’s a Catholic thing”. After reading these two books [mentioned above in the article], this previously ignorant Protestant, for one, has decided to introduce the sign of the cross into his daily prayer, as a link with the early church, a sign of God’s claim on me, and a reminder of the mystery of the Trinity. Perhaps we may be making progress after all. [...]
CatholicSphere » Catholic practices moving beyond Catholic borders said this on March 1st, 2007 at 10:38 am