In the 3rd-5th grade Sunday School class, we are learning about The Way of Love, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry’s way of talking about incorporating Christian practices into our way of life. One of the components of The Way of Love is “Turn,” practices that remind us to pause, reflect, and (re)turn to Jesus.
The season of Lent is a natural time to think about this practice of turning toward Jesus. During Lent, we ask forgiveness for the times we have left Jesus’ ways of truth, justice, and love, and seek strength and guidance to turn back to those ways as we grow closer to Jesus. One way to grow closer to Jesus is through Christian practices—activities and habits that help center or re-center Jesus on our lives.
My intention was to come up with a list of 40 ways to turn toward Jesus for 40 days of Lent, but that started to get unruly, so instead I offer a somewhat shorter list, with the suggestion that you choose one or two that sound particularly interesting to your family and give them a try. Perhaps you will find that something just doesn’t work for you, but perhaps you will find a practice that will take hold and bear fruit well past our celebration of Easter!
- Baptism is a time when we or our parents and godparents promise to turn to and follow Jesus. Talk about your baptism. Look at family photos of baptisms. Talk about the day, what it was like, and what happened.
- Say a prayer before your meals. You can say whatever you think of at the time, or use a simple prayer like this: For this food that we eat, for the hands that made it, for the loved ones who share it: we thank you. Amen.
- If you receive an allowance, give some to a charity or to St. John’s (or if you already set aside some of your money for charity, set aside a larger amount). One of the traditional practices of Lent is “almsgiving,” or giving to others, and one of the ways we do this is by giving money to help churches, charities, and other important organizations do their work.
- Get outside: Take a walk or go to a park. Where do you see Jesus in the earth?
- Color! Coloring can be a form of prayer. Try coloring a mandala, a circular symbol representing the universe that is used in Hindu and Buddhism as a meditation aid. You can draw your own—draw a circle then fill it in with shapes and doodles—or print one that’s already drawn. Click here for a good source.
- Learn the Lord’s Prayer and say it together. This is a translation of a prayer that Jesus taught us, and we also say it on Sundays in church. There are many versions, but this is the most familiar:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. - Remember that we can find Jesus in other people—This might be easy with people we like, but Jesus is also in people we don’t like: people who seem mean or who might be unpopular. Think about someone who you have a hard time loving or liking. Can you see Jesus in them? Can you remember that Jesus lives them? Can you try and love them like Jesus?
- Read a fictional book with strong undercurrents of faith, like The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe or A Wrinkle in Time.
- Say a prayer before bedtime. This is a time to remember God’s love and to rest peacefully. If you don’t already have a bedtime prayer practice, try something like this: God, thank you for [name things for which you are thankful]. Thank you especially for loving me all the time, no matter what. Show your love to [name family, friends, those who need our prayers]. Be with me as I go to sleep; help me to rest well and wake up refreshed. Amen.
- Wonder together about how Jesus looked, what he ate, what he liked to do, what he didn’t like to do, and what he did for fun.
- Help someone! One of the ways we can love our neighbors is by lending a helping hand. If you’re looking for an opportunity at St. John’s, consider helping with the Community Dinner at St. Thomas’ on March 9. Midnight Run and Beyond Our Walls offer other opportunities to serve–see the parish website for more information.
- Create a family prayer station: set a bowl and strips of paper, or a stack of sticky notes and a surface on which to stick them, in an area of your home where you spend a lot of time. Invite everyone in the family to write things they want to pray for on the papers or notes, and place them in the bowl or stick them up. On a daily or weekly basis, have a family prayers time and incorporate these requests.
- Read a story about Jesus together as a family, then talk about it together. What did you like? What didn’t you like? Was there anything that didn’t make sense? If you have any lingering questions, remember them and see if Mo. Alissa or Rev. G can help you find an answer. If you don’t know what to read, try the Gospel lesson for an upcoming Sunday–see this calendar.
- Go to church together. What are some things in church that help us get to know Jesus better? Mark your calendars for the family-centered Good Friday offering at St. Thomas’ Mamaroneck (10am, Friday, April 19).
- Nothing here seems quite right? For more excellent ideas on how to turn toward Jesus and practice faith at home, check out Faithful Families by Traci Smith, or Faith at Home by Wendy Claire Barrie.
Do you have other ideas, or things you already do as a family to turn to Jesus? I would love to hear them! I would also love to hear if you try any of the items above. Whatever you decide, I hope that the abundant wilderness of Lent is a blessing for your family.
Mo. Alissa