Lent
Lent in the Catholic calendar is the forty-day period of atonement and fasting that begins on Ash Wednesday and culminates with Holy Week. The word "Lent" is taken from the Anglo-Saxon or Teutonic word Lencten, meaning "spring".[1] Good Friday, the Friday before Easter Sunday, is an important Holy Day because it marks Christ's death on the cross. This entire holy season commemorates the period when Jesus spent 40 days fasting in the desert after His baptism (by John the Baptist), see Matthew 4:1-2, culminating in the Three Temptations of Christ (Matthew 4:3-11). A triumphant celebration of Christ's resurrection marks the conclusion of Lent.
Contents
Observances and Discipline
Historical
Lent was formerly a forty-hour fast, that eventually expanded to a week. Forty days of Lent were accepted by the Council of Nicaea by 325 A.D.[1]
Traditional
On Ash Wednesday, Catholics, Anglicans, Lutherans and members of other Christian denominations place blessed ashes in the shape of a cross on each forehead. During the six-week period of Lent in the Catholic Church, Ash Wednesday and Friday fasting consists of three meals, no meat and no snacks between meals. It is expected that each person will increase prayer, alms giving, and give up something dear and of value—or else provide for others out of one's normal routine. This is a sign of unity and sacrifice for the Lord's sake.
Lent is set to represent the 40 days of Jesus' fast[1], but the catholic church also sees all Sundays as days of feasting (in celebration of Jesus' resurrection), and forbids fasting. This means that the 40 days of lent are calculated around Sundays. So, lent is laid out to include six weeks (of six fasting days), and four extra days. Each Sunday is a break from that "fast," as a day of feasting.[2][3]
After Lent, these churches start the Octave of Easter recognition.
Modern
Currently, many people deny themselves of a privilege during Lent. Large numbers forgo eating meat on Fridays, Ash Wednesday, and Good Friday. The Roman Catholic Church highlights penance, almsgiving, ceasing from festivities, and extra time for religious exercises.[1]
Holy Week
Holy Week is the final week of Lent. It begins the Sunday before Easter, called Palm Sunday, on which Christ's welcome into Jerusalem is celebrated. The week concludes with Holy Thursday, which commemorates the Last Supper. Holy Friday or Good Friday commemorates the passion and death of Christ. Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday celebrate the glorious resurrection of Christ from the dead.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Jim Denison (March 7, 2020). Why is Lent relevant for evangelicals?. The Christian Post. Retrieved on March 9, 2020.
- ↑ https://www.learnreligions.com/how-the-days-of-lent-calculated-542421
- ↑ https://www.learnreligions.com/fast-on-sundays-during-lent-3970756
