Rev.

Susan Carter Wiggins, The Season of Lent and Lenten Calendar for Families, 022515, page 1

The Season of Lent

A depiction of Jonah from the faade of the Amiens Cathedral (thirteenth century).

The season of Lent is a time of prayer, fasting and self-examination in preparation for
the celebration of the resurrection of the Lord at Easter. It is a period of 40 days like
the flood of Genesis, Moses sojourn at Mount Sinai, Elijahs journey to Mount Horeb,
Jonahs call to Ninevah to repent and Jesus time of testing in the wilderness.
Forty Days (except Sundays) The Sundays in Lent are not counted in this reckoning
of the time between Ash Wednesday and Easter, as every Lords Day is a celebration of
the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
In the early church, Lent was a time of preparation for the celebration of baptism at
the Easter Vigil. In many communities of faith it remains a time to equip and nurture
candidates for baptism and confirmation and to reflect deeply on the theme of
baptismal discipleship.

THE PASCHAL MYSTERY

An excerpt from the Companion to the Book of Common Worship (Geneva Press,
2003 110-111)
What we hear during Lent is the power and possibility of the paschal mystery, and
that the way of the cross, the way to Easter, is through death. To appropriate the new
life that is beyond the power of death means we must die with Christ who was raised
for us. To live for Christ, we must die with him.

Rev. Susan Carter Wiggins, The Season of Lent and Lenten Calendar for Families, 022515, page 2

New life requires a daily surrendering of the old life, letting go of the present order, so
that we may embrace the new humanity. I die every day! asserts Paul (1 Corinthians
15:31).
Resurrection necessitates death as a preceding act. The churchs peculiar Lenten claim
is that in dying we live, that all who are baptized into Christ are baptized into his
death. To be raised with Christ means one must also die with Christ. In order to
embrace the resurrection, we must experience the passion of Jesus. The way of the
cross, the way to Easter, is through death of the old self. In dying, we live.
Therefore, at the beginning of Lent, we are reminded that our possessions, our rulers,
our empires, our projects, our families and even our lives do not last forever. You are
dust, and to dust you shall return (Genesis 3:19).
The liturgies throughout Lent try to pry loose our fingers, one by one, from presumed
securities and plunge us into unknown baptismal waters, waters that turn out to be
not only our death tomb but surprisingly our womb of life. Rather than falling back
into nothingness, we fall back on everlasting arms. Death? How can we fear what we
have already undergone in baptism?
It is the power of the resurrection on the horizon ahead that draws us into repentance
toward the cross and tomb. Through the intervention of Gods gracious resurrection,
lifelong changes in our values and behavior become possible. By turning from the end
of the old self in us, Lenten repentance makes it possible for us to affirm joyfully,
Death is no more! and to aim toward the landscape of the new age. Faithfully
adhering to the Lenten journey of prayer, fasting and almsgiving leads to the
destination of Easter.
During the final week, Holy Week, we hear the fullness of Christs passion, his death,
and resurrection. From Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem and on to the Triduum
(Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday), all of Holy Week focuses on the
passion.
As his followers, we travel Christs path of servanthood through the Lords Supper and
the suffering of the cross toward the glory of Easter, all of which underscores the
the inseparable link between the death and resurrection of Jesus.
Resource: http://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/worship/worshipresources-lent/

Rev. Susan Carter Wiggins, The Season of Lent and Lenten Calendar for Families, 022515, page 3

As a church family we are observing Lent together using this calendar of Lenten
Practices. Copies are available in the Narthex and in the church office and Ive
reproduced it for you, here, too.
http://traci-smith.com/uploads/download/1987/LENTENPRACTICESCALENDAR2015.pdf
LENTEN PRACTICES - CALENDAR FOR FAMILIES 2015
Sunday

2/22/15
[F] No snacks
between meals
today

3/1/15
[S] Pick up
litter
outside your
house or
at a park.

3/8/15
[P]
PATIENCE

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday
2/18/15
Ash
Wednesday

Thursday
2/19/15
[F] No
TV or
screens
[P] HOPE today
(except
for
homework)
2/23/15
2/24/15
2/25/15
2/26/15
[S] Do
[P] GRATI- [F] Only
[S] Buy or
something TUDE
water to
find 5+
kind for a
drink today items for
neighbor.
Thursday
a food
bank.
(Deliver on
March 28)
3/2/15
3/3/15
3/4/15
3/5/15
[P]
[F] Do not [S] Call
[P]
SPIRIT
use toys
someone
HOLY
that require and
batteries
tell them
or
you are
electricity
thinking of
them
today.
3/9/15
3/10/15
3/11/15
3/12/15
[F] No
[S] Say
[P]
[F] No
desserts or something
DESERT
TV or
treats
nice
screens
today
about each
today
person in
(except
your family.
for
homework)

Friday
2/20/15
[S] Make a
card for
someone
who needs
extra love

Saturday
2/21/15
[P] GIVING

2/27/15
[P] JESUS

2/28/15
[F] Eat very
simple
meals for
breakfast,
lunch, &
dinner.

3/6/15
[F] Do not
listen to
music in the
car.

3/7/15
[S] Take a
treat or
meal to
someone

3/13/15
[S] Invite
someone to
your house
for dinner.

3/14/15
[P]
JOURNEY

Rev. Susan Carter Wiggins, The Season of Lent and Lenten Calendar for Families, 022515, page 4

3/15/15
[F] No snacks
between meals
today

3/16/15
[S] Give
someone
real or
paper
flowers.

3/22/15
[S] Write
someone a
thank you note

3/23/15
[P] GOD

3/29/15
[P] PEACE

3/17/15
[P]
SERVICE

3/24/15
[F] Do not
use toys
that require
batteries
or
electricity
3/30/15
3/31/15
[F] No
[S] Buy dog
desserts or or cat food
treats
for an
today
animal
shelter
(deliver
Sat.)

3/18/15
[F] Only
water to
drink today

3/25/15
[S] Learn
something
about
another
country
or culture
4/1/15
[P] KINDNESS

3/19/15
[S] Draw
a picture
for
someone
and
mail it.
3/26/15
[P]
MERCY

3/20/15
[P]
FRIENDSHIP

3/27/15
[F] Do not
listen to
music in the
car.

3/21/15
[F] Eat very
simple
meals for
breakfast,
lunch, &
dinner.
3/28/15
[S] Deliver
your
food bank
items

4/2/15
[F] No
TV or
screens
today
(except
for
homework)

4/3/15
[S] Plant a
tree or
flowers

4/4/15
[S] Deliver
animal
items.

4/5/15

Easter!

[P]
RESURRECTION
These activities are based around the traditional "3 Pillars" of Lent. Prayer [P], Fasting [F] and
Almsgiving/Service [S]. The pillars are rotated throughout lent with simple activities. On the
prayer days, use the word provided to inspire a prayer you write, draw, or sing. All of the activities
are suggestions. Modify them for your own family! Traci Smith 2015 www.traci-smith.com