Lenten Imperfections

Pastor’s Epistle—March 2026

Lent is a bit of a paradox for me, a bit of a struggle. But then, isn’t that rather the point?

Lent began, as I’m sure you know by now, as a season of preparation for Baptism. Rome pared down the catechetical process from several years to just 40 days, not including Sundays. During this time, would-be Christians were to fast, repent, and pray, whilst receiving basic instruction in the faith—and given every opportunity to turn away.

The culmination of their efforts arrived at the climax of Holy Week, the Great Vigil of Easter, when the catechumenate would receive the Sacred Mysteries: first, of course, Holy Baptism, welcoming them into the Body of Christ, drowned to their sins and risen with the Spirit of Jesus within them; then, immediately thereafter, Holy Communion, consuming the Body and Blood of the Lord.

This mystical reunion of Christ’s Body, Blood, and Spirit within the believer made the newly reborn Christian into a living embodiment of Jesus’ Resurrection, sent out to save and serve the world. To this day, Easter remains the holiest celebration on our calendar, with every Sunday a little Easter, and Easter as a Sunday for the year.

As time went on, the Church as a whole took to observing Lent in solidarity with those preparing for their Baptism. It became traditional for us to abstain from certain foods, to fast from too many meals, to take upon ourselves instruction and spiritual discipline. The whole season’s rather somber, passing through the Cross to the empty Tomb.

And I, like most clergy, would encourage my congregations to engage in a Lenten regimen: to sacrifice, to simplify, to seek out some serenity. Alas, here I feel hypocritical, since Lent ever proves itself the busiest and most stressful time of year for my ilk: Ash Wednesday, midweek Lenten Vespers, the Lenten Retreat of the Society of the Holy Trinity, preparations for Holy Week and the Great Three Days, readying Baptism for the Easter Vigil, and the victory lap of Easter Sunday. Throw in various medical appointments and a presentation for the school, and soon we’re running the gauntlet.

I’ve tried adding fasting and abstinence on top of all of that—with the sincerest of intentions—only to defeat the purpose by growing irritable and impatient, especially around my family. Surely such is not what Christ intends for Christians at any stage in their life of faith. Oftentimes my Lenten discipline must simply be Lent itself, and the annual professional demands that it entails.

All of which is to say that my observance remains far from perfect. Let that not discourage yours. Engage with Lent howsoever you may. Give up something that you’ll notice. Take on religious duties that will benefit your neighbors, and your soul. Pray, read, repent; prepare yourself for the Resurrection of our Lord. What better way to welcome God’s own spring?

Yet also grant yourself some grace. Lent is not our work, but our Lord’s. And howsoever we may greet that Easter morning at the end, Christ will rise regardless of our efforts or our state. And I for one thank God for that.

In Jesus. Amen.