My Lent 2020 Reviewed

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In the Episcopalian tradition, Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday, the day before Easter. As such, and because I am Episcopalian, today is that last day of Lent. So I thought it would be good to review my Lent.

Here is what I initially planned on doing for Lent:

  • Starting Lent with a day off from work on Ash Wednesday during which my wife Kim and I would attend an Ash Wednesday service at our church, pictured in the fea
  • Praying Daily Devotions both morning and at the close of the day.
  • Reading Lent Is Not Rocket Science: An Exploration of God, Creation, and the Cosmos: Meditations for 40 Days of Lent by W. Nicholas Knisely, the 13th and current bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island.
  • Denying myself alcohol and soda throughout Lent.
  • Ending Lent by going to church that Saturday, Holy Saturday, or Sunday, Easter, depending on my schedule.

And here’s what I actually did:

  • Kim and I went church on Ash Wednesday. Photo above is the altar from our home church, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church of Wellsboro.
  • I prayed Daily Devotions from The Book of Common Prayer.
  • I mostly denied myself alcohol and soda through Lent. We did “imbibe” wine for my wife’s 50th birthday, which was this past Monday.

After a few days of Lent Is Not Rocket Science, I decided that no, it really was not and instead chose a book recommended by Deb from the blog Readerbuzz: Pauses for Lent: 40 Words for 40 Days by Trevor Hudson. I also used A Mindful Year: 365 Ways To Find Connection and the Sacred in Everyday Life by Dr. Aria Campbell-Danesh and Dr. Seth J. Gillihan. I either would use one or the other, or both, depending on the day and what I felt applied.

As for the last thing “ending Lent by going to church,” I will be doing that but not physically but virtually. But to be honest, I’ve gone to church more in the last couple of weeks than I did previously.

For the last couple of weeks, and yesterday for Good Friday, I have been attending Washington National Cathedral, which has been a balm for my soul. My wife and I also “did” Stations of the Cross at our home church.

Updated Sunday morning: I went to TWO church services, one at our local church and then this one at Washington National Cathedral. Highlights are at 49:26: Sermon by The Most Rev. Michael Bruce Curry, presiding bishop and primate of The Episcopal Church, and then right after his sermon, at 1:06:23, with The Episcopal Church Virtual Choir and Orchestra.

Name one thing you’ve got going for you that is nice.

Published by Bryan G. Robinson

Blogger formerly known as Unfinished Person. Still an unfinished person...

Published

14 thoughts on “My Lent 2020 Reviewed”

  1. With the economy in the condition it’s in, mortgage rates dropped so we called our loan guy and we are re-fi-ing which will save us $400+ a month. Not bad at all. That is definitely a good thing.

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  3. I like the sound of both 40 Words for 40 Days and A Mindful Year. Now is a good time as any to meditate. I’ve always complained about lack of time and now I have too much. Of course, I decided to fill it with more projects.

    Happy belated birthday to your wife!

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    1. With everything going on, I have a very, very short attention span so I try to take advantage of the short passages. Books just aren’t working for me, but I’m being gentle with myself in that regards. Good luck on your projects…and somehow in the middle of it all, remember to breathe, even if it is for five minutes here and there.

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  5. My Lent didn’t go as I’d planned.

    It started well. I went to Ash Wednesday service. I planned to give up sweets for Lent. I got a library copy of Pauses for Lent.

    Then everything went crazy. The rodeo was canceled. The library conference was canceled. Our spring volunteer events were canceled. Church was canceled.

    This time, an unexpectedly monk-like Lent, has been a time of contemplation and reflection. And isn’t that what Lent should be about?

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  6. Happy Easter! We don’t celebrate in our house and don’t even have any chocolate to pretend to have Easter this year. All very sad. However, we will Face Time with my brother’s family in the UK and for us, that is celebratory.

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