| − | '''Lent''' is the forty-day period of [[atonement]] and fasting that begins on [[Ash Wednesday]] and culminates with [[Holy Week]], as recognized by most [[Christian]] demoninations.<ref>Lent is followed by [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholics]], [[Methodist]]s, [[Lutheran]]s, [[Anglican]]s, [[Episcopalians]], and many others.</ref> The word "Lent" is taken from the [[Anglo-Saxon]] or Teutonic word Lencten, meaning "spring".<ref name="Spring">{{cite web|url=https://www.christianpost.com/voices/why-is-lent-relevant-for-evangelicals.html|title=Why is Lent relevant for evangelicals?|date=March 7, 2020|accessdate=March 9, 2020|author=Jim Denison|publisher=[[The Christian Post]]}}</ref> [[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. | + | '''Lent''' is the forty-day period of [[atonement]] and fasting that begins on [[Ash Wednesday]] and culminates with [[Holy Week]], as recognized by most [[Christian]] demoninations.<ref>Lent is followed by [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholics]], [[Methodist]]s, [[Lutheran]]s, [[Anglican]]s, [[Episcopalians]], and many others.</ref> The word "Lent" is taken from the [[Anglo-Saxon]] or Teutonic word Lencten, meaning "spring".<ref name="Spring">{{cite web|url=https://www.christianpost.com/voices/why-is-lent-relevant-for-evangelicals.html|title=Why is Lent relevant for evangelicals?|date=March 7, 2020|accessdate=March 9, 2020|author=Jim Denison|publisher=[[The Christian Post]]}}</ref> [[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 {{bibleref|Matthew|4|1-2}}, culminating in the [[Three Temptations of Christ]] ({{biblref|Matthew|4|3-11}}). A triumphant celebration of [[Christ]]'s resurrection marks the conclusion of Lent. |
| − | 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. | + | 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 [[Good Friday]] fasting consists of one full meal, two small meals totaling less than a full meal, no meat, and no snacks between meals.<ref>https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-year-and-calendar/lent/catholic-information-on-lenten-fast-and-abstinence</ref> 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<ref name="Spring" />, 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.<ref>https://www.learnreligions.com/how-the-days-of-lent-calculated-542421</ref><ref>https://www.learnreligions.com/fast-on-sundays-during-lent-3970756</ref> | | Lent is set to represent the 40 days of Jesus' fast<ref name="Spring" />, 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.<ref>https://www.learnreligions.com/how-the-days-of-lent-calculated-542421</ref><ref>https://www.learnreligions.com/fast-on-sundays-during-lent-3970756</ref> |