Lenten Reading

If you are not a Christian, Lent may be baffling.

Even for some Christians it is a profound season.

In the old days, people spoke of "giving up something for Lent". The idea was to give up something sinful or evil. Later it became... let's use these 40 days to go on a diet and maybe give up dessert or smoking or candy and give the money we saved to the poor.

Many people today look at Lent as a time to draw closer to God, to atone for sins, to strive for enlightenment. A time of study and introspection.

My Lenten reading this year is Original Blessing by Matthew Fox. Perhaps you have heard of it. It is an alternative view of the theology of creation. Proposing that instead of Original Sin, we are born with Original Blessing.

The book is elemental to understanding Creation Spirituality. Matthew Fox refers to this as a more ecologically oriented doctrine than the original sin perspective.

Interesting that Matthew Fox was a Dominican priest and is now an Episcopalian priest because his views went beyond what was acceptable to Dominicans.

The four paths of Creation Spirituality do reflect the seasons and are worthy reflection for this season. I have attended some CS workshops and seen some videos but I have never read this basic text, so in these next few weeks I shall learn and read and reflect some more.

In what way will you honor this Lenten season? Fasting? Meditation? Service?