Lent – the Fast of 40 Days before Easter. So, how’s it going for you?

The early centuries of the fast were very strict. You were allowed only one (yes, that’s one), meal a day towards evening. Meat, fish, milk, butter, eggs, and cheese were forbidden. Well, being the undisciplined people that we are, the rules over time were relaxed. In the 9^th century, you could break your fast by 3:00 in the afternoon and in the 15^th century, you were good to go at noon! I do miss breakfast sometimes. Does that count? But then, I thought breakfast was breaking the fast. You were also allowed to have milk and milk products. Fasting, I guess, has always been difficult.  Oh, and now it seems you only have to fast on the first day of Lent and on Good Friday! Yeah! That first day because you’re still full from Shrove Tuesday!

Lent is now generally a time of people saying what they will give up. One friend is giving up Facebook for Lent. Another is giving up chocolate, and yet another is giving up wine. And so it goes. I guess I don’t get what all the fuss is about. Jesus came that we might have life and have it more abundantly. But what does that mean? Jesus’ life was cut short. He was misunderstood, despised, and hated.

And why? Jesus healed people, forgave people, dined with people, taught the people, and worked all kinds of wonders. He invited people to love one another and to love God. But he was misunderstood, despised, and hated. I don’t understand. Oh, many books have been written about the oppression of the Romans, the role of religious and political authorities, and the threat that, Jesus the radical zealot, posed to those in power. But a cross? Execution?

Lent – the Fast of 40 Days before Easter. Sometimes, I don’t feel like eating. I feel sick. The Christian story does that to me sometimes. It’s bizarre – that Christian story. Not only the story in the four gospels and the other New Testament writings, but the story of Christianity over the centuries. I have given up Christianity for Lent and making that my fast – not to feast on the Word and the centuries of Christian tradition.

In January 2012, Alain de Botton published Religion for Atheists, a book about the benefits of religions for those who do not believe in them. De Botton put it: “It’s clear to me that religions are in the end too complex, interesting and on occasion wise to be abandoned simply to those who believe in them.” His book is a great read that speaks to the more positive side of religion. I get it and I am thankful that someone tells the other side of the story.

But, for a moment I need to give it up. It’s painful. The story is difficult.

Yet, somehow in a very deep way, I know I need Jesus. I love Jesus. I want the Jesus without Christianity, at least for now. I weep. 40 Days – you’re way too long.