Lent begins in two weeks. In my church and I think this is true for other denominations, we don’t sing any Alleluias during lent.
Why?
I don’t know.
I looked it up.
In the season of Lent we focus on repentance and being sorry for our sins. Singing or saying the word “alleluia” has historically been suspended during Lent’s forty days. The omission of alleluia during Lent goes back at least to the fifth century in the western church.
Some churches even sing farewell to Alleluias the Sunday before Ash Wednesday.
One other unusual ritual with this normal expression of praise is “burying the alleluias.”
Yep, you read that correctly. Some churches make an alleluia from paper, fabric, metal, wood, or some other natural material that may be carried in procession or might lead a parade accompanied by instruments and singing. Burial could take place in the ground, or the alleluia could simply be placed in a suitable container that will remain in the worship space as a visual reminder of alleluia’s absence during Lent.
Lent is practiced as a solemn and soul-searching time. One of fasting and abstinence. I understand taking the time to consider on my sins, ask for forgiveness, and ask the Lord to help me lead a life more reflective of Him.
“Yet even now, says the Lord, repent and return to me with all your heart” Joel 2:13.
Yes repent, but also return to the Lord with all your heart. How can we do that this season?
We walk with Jesus through His story – His suffering, His death and also His resurrection. We are an Easter people – eyes on the living Christ and hearts fixed only on Him.
I sense this season needs joy too.
My last post I mentioned I am sending handwritten notes to people. The response I received both in the comments and many through emails amazed me. People are hungry for connection. This is a positive ritual for my Lenten journey.
Kindness and joy will be two spiritual practices I employ each day during this Lent. I want to smile more, give more and be more for others. Compassion and joy bring delight to God and I can’t think of a better way to honor Him.
And yes I will participate for a second year with the fun and educational Lenten Madness. Based loosely on the wildly popular NCAA basketball tournament, Lent Madness pits 32 saints against one another in public voting as they compete for the coveted Golden Halo. But it is more than that: Lent Madness is really an online devotional tool designed to help people learn about saints. The competition begins on Thursday, February 14 and takes place at www.lentmadness.org
The format is straightforward: 32 saints are placed into a tournament-like single elimination bracket. Each pairing remains open for twenty-four hours, and people vote for their favorite saint. Sixteen saints make it to the Round of the Saintly Sixteen; eight advance to the Round of the Elate Eight; four make it to the Faithful Four; two to the Championship; and the winner is awarded the Golden Halo. The 2012 Lent Madness champion was Mary Magdalene.
The two mad capped and slightly crazy czars of Lenten Madness are Rev. Tim Schenck, an Episcopal priest and rector of St. John’s Church in Hingham, Massachusetts and Rev. Scott Gun, Executive Director of Forward Movement. Their funny videos, antics and saintly sarcasm brings joy to Lent and I think that brings delight to God.
And if my saint wins this year, you will probably hear me shout “Alleluia” even before Easter.
What positive activity do you plan for Lent?
There IS a much needed balance between being lent people and Easter people. Like times with community and times in silence and solitude. I sometimes find that balance but often have to “reset” the dial again and again!
Having not grown up in a liturgical tradition, I’m slowly feeling my way through seasons like Lent. But Lenten Madness? That just cracks me up. I have to go check that out!
A friend of mine, who traditionally gives something up for Lent, allows himself to indulge on Sundays as a means of bearing witness to the reality of the resurrection. Yes, by all means let us examine ourselves. But never, never should we forget we are Easter people!
We are Easter people.
Yes, we are. And we are also lenten people. We go to a church that does not practice liturgical seasons, but they are important as intentional times of contemplative devotion. Your idea of kindness and joy is a beautiful one.
http://joannempotter.blogspot.com/
Dolly, I really enjoy the learning and the laughter with Lent Madness. I will tell my hubby who is pitted against whom each day and he will say who is that? and we both learn. Those guys are a little crazy too so that makes me laugh too. A little good old fashion fun in the middle of dreary winter…. love ya!
What a fun idea…I will have to check out this Lent Madness and I like how you are writing to people…can’t believe Lent starts on 2/14…yikes…hugs to you, Jean 🙂