Lent and the Limitations of Liturgy
This coming Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, which signifies the beginning of Lent. As many of you know, Lent is a 40-day season culminating in Good Friday and Easter. In the past we’ve marked Lent in a handful of ways. We’ve given exhortations specific to the season; last year I wrote a ‘Lent Guide’ for our congregation; and this year we’re having an Ash Wednesday Prayer Gathering here at the building, 8pm.
As you’ve heard me say on several occasions now, I think the church’s historic liturgical calendar is incredibly valuable, especially in our secular age. For one, the liturgical year uniquely testifies to the Lordship of Jesus over one of our most precious resources: time.
Secondly, the genius of the liturgical calendar is the way it captures the “already-not yet” tension of the Christian life. The seasons of Christmas and Easter are designed to train us to “rejoice always” and to celebrate all the grace we experience right here, right now, because we are in Christ.
The seasons of Advent and Lent are intended to help us make sense of our present suffering and remind us that Jesus has yet to return and that each of us are not yet what we one day will be. For these reasons, I think there’s great benefit in adherence to the liturgical year; and as we enter the Lenten season, I encourage each of you to consider fresh ways to bring focused silence, solitude, and contemplation upon Jesus and his word into your daily routines.
But that’s not my exhortation to you this morning. Instead, I want to be clear about the limitations of liturgy in general, and Lent specifically. There is no biblically prescribed liturgy or liturgical calendar, and because of that all matters of liturgical practice are prudential, or wisdom-calls—except of course practices prohibited by Scripture. Because liturgy falls into the category of “wise or unwise” and not “right or wrong” there are a two things we need to be mindful of.
First, Cities Church, as relates to matters of the liturgical calendar, hear this: you are free. Absolutely free. Whether you participate in Lent or abstain altogether, you are in good standing here and before the Lord. Which means, you who practice Lent, do not look down your noses at those who abstain. And, you who abstain, do not look upon those practicing Lent with suspicion or contempt.
For those coming from a strong Catholic background where Lent was accompanied with all sorts of superstitious garb, it may be wise for you to abstain acknowledging the season in any significant way. For those of you who grew up outside of the church or in other traditions, it may be wise to engage in the season of Lent as a means of orienting your life around Jesus in greater measure. Wherever you’re at, as a church, let’s celebrate the freedom that Christ has given us to exercise wisdom in these matters.
Lastly Church, beware that you do not use liturgy, and especially this season of Lent as a means of hiding. Jesus has strong words to the Pharisees about their pompous religious displays which served to disguise the true nature of their hearts’ distance of their hearts from God. Beginning Wednesday, you will see countless social media posts about the sacrifices your friends are making for the next 40-days. Don’t do that!
Jesus himself commands you not to: “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:16–18).
Liturgy and, yes, Lent are great tools for aiming our hearts Godward. But sin’s tendency is always to take good things and pervert them. The reality is, it is not hard to impress your friends and pastors with your liturgical practices; but if that is your ultimate goal, you have your reward.
My exhortation is in whatever liturgical practices, spiritual disciplines, or Lenten sacrifices you make, remember your Father, the one who sees in secret. Remember that because you are in Jesus, your Father is proud to call you his own. Liturgy is a terrible savior; but used rightly it leads us to deeper love of the one who has saved us.