Starting Wednesday, Feb. 9, begins the period of Lent and ends March 26. Lent is observed by Catholics around the world.What is Lent?
Lent comes from the Middle English word “lente” which means springtime. The time period originated from earlier days of the Church as a time to prepare for Easter. Lent used to be a time period of forty hours spent fasting to remember Jesus’ suffering and the forty hours he spent in Jacob’s new tomb. Around the third century, it was observed for six days. Finally, in 800 A.D., Lent was made forty days; and that tradition continues today. Overall, Lent focuses on an individual’s baptismal promises. The season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Easter.
Sundays are excluded from the forty days because this day is a weekly rememberance of the Resurrection.
Observing Lent prepares people to celebrate true Easter and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, personally.
Why 40 Days?
During the time the Israelites were in bondage to the Egyptians, they experienced hardships that slavery brings. God had a purpose for his “chosen people” despite their bondage. God allowed Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt into a wilderness where they journeyed forty years until they made it to the promised land that God promised them. Moses never made it to the promised land, but his obedience allowed others to reach their destination. These forty represent the Christian’s “personal journey of transformation” which leads to the power to change, love, believe, and enhance our way of thinking. Jesus went through this same transformation when he was in the desert for forty days. During His journey, Satan tempted him; but Jesus held His ground by trusting God. His temperance from Satan and the hardships the Israelites went through challenges us to look upon ourselves to see how deeply we are willing to trust God in our own trials and tribulations.
What Is Ash Wednesday?
This is the first day of Lent. It is actually the day after Mardi Gras (“Fat Tuesday”) which was started by the Christian Romans as a “carnival” to not forget their pagan festivals. Ash Wednesday reminds Christians how important their life with God is. Burnt ashes from the previous year’s Palm Sunday are marked upon Catholics’ forehead to remind them of the biblical symbol of repentance and mortality. The scripture “…For dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return” (Genesis 3:19) helps to commemorate Jesus’ last week on earth. The cross on the forehead is an sign of spritiual mark put on a Christian in baptism.
Giving Up Something?
When Catholics give up something for Lent, they are making a sacrifice. The three most common penitential (to turn, return, restore) practices include prayer, fasting, and works of charity. Catholics as individuals determine how they can use these practices during Lent. This sacrifice is not mandatory but is very much voluntary. Even though you don’t have to give anything up, Lent gives the individual an opportunity to work on a particular obstacle that is preventing them from growing in the Lord. Denying ourselves things we enjoy helps us to strengthen our own will. This allows us not to become slaves to the things we like. This is one reason why Catholics give up something during Lent. By sacrificing in this way, it helps the Catholics strengthen their spirituality, give up things that are sinful, and helps keep their priorities straight.
From the Pulpit: Giving up is a “sacrifice.” “Sacri” stands for holy and “fice” means do something. It is not the giving up of something that helps the individual. It is the thing that person is giving up that positively helps them in other areas of their life. This is the reward for this idea.
Fasting
During the season of Lent, Catholics are asked to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and Fridays, especially Good Friday. Many eat fish instead. This is done to remind Catholics that they should always put God first in priorities and pleasures as a lesser priority. All individuals over the age of 14 are bound to abstain from meat on those days. All those above 18 up to 60 are bound to fast by limiting themselves to one full meal and two light meals on these days.
From the Pulpit: The reason for fasting is to say to God that reliance on Him is needed even above the basic act and need to eat. The Catholic Christians basically fast in order to physically observe and recall the time Christ suffered and died to redeem humanity.
Importance of Lent for Young Catholics?
The youth will be the leaders of tomorrow. Young Catholics at this point in their lives are making decisions that will affect the rest of their lives. Young Catholics, as well as Christians in general, must take God’s will to heart and know that it should be a powerful part of their lives. The young must have the determination to be attentive to the inner attractiveness to grow. This comes from discipline and reconciliation with God.
Important Lent Dates
Ash Wednesday –
February 9
Palm Sunday –
March 20
Good Friday –
March 25
Easter –
March 27
References
www.catholicism.about.com
www.indydiocese.org
Rev. G. Alex Steinmiller, C.P.