Why Forty Days?
Why Forty Days? I don't know, call it an experiment. Call it an attempt to put into action my swirling thoughts about what it means to not just *be* a Christian but to live like one, to bring to life a dream, a vision of a community that really believes it is better to give than to receive, a community that is tired of all the stuff we have when so many have so little, a community that is ready to worry about someone else instead of just me-me-me, a community that is ready to let go of the things we hold on to so tightly . So I thought...we can do that for forty days, right?
WHY LENT?
In my evangelical upbringing, Lent was never a big part of our church calendar. My Catholic friends would come to school with ashes on their foreheads and proud declarations of what they were giving up, and sometimes I wished I was part of their club, but not enough to give up chocolate for a month and a half. As you can imagine, Lent is also not a big deal here in China; we are still in the midst of nightly firecrackers blasting like machine guns and bright colors lighting the sky outside my kitchen window. Nope, not much Lent going on here, it is the season of getting, not giving up. But as I read the words of The Most Reverend Charles J. Chaput, his explanation of Lent spoke so clearly the words that my heart has searched for:
In my evangelical upbringing, Lent was never a big part of our church calendar. My Catholic friends would come to school with ashes on their foreheads and proud declarations of what they were giving up, and sometimes I wished I was part of their club, but not enough to give up chocolate for a month and a half. As you can imagine, Lent is also not a big deal here in China; we are still in the midst of nightly firecrackers blasting like machine guns and bright colors lighting the sky outside my kitchen window. Nope, not much Lent going on here, it is the season of getting, not giving up. But as I read the words of The Most Reverend Charles J. Chaput, his explanation of Lent spoke so clearly the words that my heart has searched for:
"... this is a time to be honest; to take an unblinking look at the truth of our lives. Every year God offers us this great season of humility as a chance to remember who we are as believers, reflect soberly on our actions and refocus ourselves on the source of our hope, the only real hope of a bloody and despairing world: Jesus Christ. We do this through prayer, silence, the sacrament of penance, seeking out and reconciling with those whom we've hurt, forgiving those who've hurt us, generosity to the poor, and fasting, not just from food, but from all those many things that distract us from the God who made and loves us.
If we call ourselves Christians, then let's live like we mean it — beginning today, with this Lenten season; so that people who look upon us will see the presence of Jesus Christ instead."
[Preparing for the journey of Lent, 2013 http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/religion/re1164.htm]
Live like we MEAN it? YES!!
Forty Days began as an opportunity to use the Lenten season to put our own needs on the backburner and give from the heart for those less fortunate. It is about less talking and more doing. I began this project in 2013, and more than 30 people came together and gave over $3500 to improve the lives of Chinese orphans. I was overwhelmed by the generosity and humbled by the goodness and faithfulness of the Father of orphans who gives so generously to us all. Now, we have the chance, the opportunity, to put aside ourselves and live the Lenten spirit all year round by embracing a lifestyle not just of giving up but of giving life.
For more on Lent or to leave a comment about your journey through these Forty Days, go to More Thoughts on Lent.
If you are ready to get involved and DO something, go to My Favorite Organizations and check out some fantastic programs and find out how you can partner with them to change lives. |