Lent can be understood as “an invitation to draw closer to Christ through intentional spiritual practices while at the same time responding to Christ’s love through compassionate action for others.” Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert
An invitation to draw closer to Christ
(LWI) - Lent, the seven weeks before Easter, is a time during which Christians remember Jesus' suffering: his condemnation, betrayal and crucifixion. Lent is also known as a season of penance, as many believers use the time for reflection and prayer.
The season of Lent is marked in many ways in the Lutheran communion.
Connecting with the oppressed
The Lutheran Church in Singapore (LCS) and the Lutheran Community Care Services (LCCS) have issued a publication titled “Living the Lenten Gospels” in English and Chinese. It invites believers on a journey of “subdued rejoicing” with seven Biblical reflections.
“Lent meditations on Christ's sufferings should not only be for own church benefits but for the oppressed, broken and suffering people in our community,” said Rev. Martin Yee, who contributed to the publication. Joining hands with the LCCS and inviting congregants to fast and give to others instead makes that connection concrete.
Restorative practices are at the heart of LCCS’ work. It actively engages individuals, families, and communities to break the hurt cycle and build a thriving society where everyone feels valued, empowered, and belonging.
Responding to common challenges with justice, compassion, and hope
LWF partner Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR) issued an invitation for “A Lenten Journey of Reflection, Action, and Hope.” Each week, CLWR focuses on a theme – Hunger, Safety, Well-Being, Identity, Loss, Community, Nature and Faith – and reflects on how these issues shape our lives, our communities, and our world. “Through scripture, discussion, and action, we will consider how God calls us to respond with justice, compassion, and hope,” the organizers say. “As we prepare for Easter, may this journey renew our hearts, strengthen our faith, and inspire us to be agents of change, embodying Christ’s love in the world.”
Carbon fast to care for creation
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s (ELCA) grassroots movement promoting care for creation, Lutherans Restoring Creation, has developed a Lenten Carbon Fast Calendar. Each day, a Bible verse combined with an action challenges people “to fast from the ways we pollute the world, rather than a fast from sweets.” Three weeks each have a special focus on energy use, producing, avoiding and recycling waste, and using water and other resources carefully. “May doing so draw you closer to God and God’s beautiful Creation!” the campaign's initiators say.
Spreading the Gospel through music
Many churches in Western and Eastern Europe have a rich musical tradition, particularly related to Lent. Music proclaiming the Gospel and performed during church services or concerts attracts people beyond church borders. Johann Sebastian Bach is probably one of the most famous Protestant composers of church music in Germany and internationally. His St John Passion and St Matthew Passion, which provide an in-depth mediation on Jesus' suffering and death, are regularly performed on Good Friday. Church choirs rehearse for weeks and months for this occasion.
Lent meditations on Christ's sufferings should not only be for own church benefits but for the oppressed.
Rev. Martin Yee, Lutheran Church in Singapore
One of the performances of Bach’s St John Passion takes place in the Frauenkirche Dresden, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Saxony, Germany. This church is a powerful monument for peace, reminding its visitors that peace and reconciliation between former enemies are not utopian dreams, but a concrete possibility.
In her letter to member churches, LWF General Secretary Rev. Dr Anne Burghardt says, Lent can be understood as “an invitation to draw closer to Christ through intentional spiritual practices while at the same time responding to Christ’s love through compassionate action
