Lent is a season of soul-searching and repentance. It is a season for reflection and taking stock. Lent originated in the very earliest days of the Church as a preparatory time for Easter, when the faithful rededicated themselves and when converts were instructed in the faith and prepared for baptism. By observing the forty days of Lent, the individual Christian imitates Jesus’ withdrawal into the wilderness for forty days.
In the Western, Lent is a forty-day period before Easter. It begins on Ash Wednesday. We skip Sundays when we count the forty days, because Sundays commemorate the Resurrection. Lent begins on 21 February 2007 and ends on 7 April 2007, which is the day before Easter.
In many countries, the last day before Lent (called Mardi Gras, Shrove Tuesday, Carnival, or Fasching) has become a last fling before the solemnity of Lent. For centuries, it was customary to fast by abstaining from meat during Lent, which is why some people call the festival Carnival, which is Latin for farewell to meat.
Christians are not to be bound by the traditions of men and I do not intend to bog us down with traditions here. One thing I know is the need for some form of sacrifice as we “follow” our Lord Jesus Christ in His journey to the cross. Your sacrifice could be fasting from sun up to sundown, skipping a meal or two, eliminating your favorite foods, etc. The Lord who looks at the heart is the only One we have to be concerned with. I cannot tell you what to give up.
So let’s go!
Lent Devotion – Day 1: Beginning the Journey
Jesus began telling his followers that he must go to Jerusalem, where the older Jewish leaders, the leading priests, and the teachers of the law would make him suffer many things. He told them he must be killed and then be raised from the dead on the third day.” Matthew 16:21
Though not biblical, Lent has long been a time of discernment and devotion answering the question Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15) and “What does it mean to follow him?”
Lent is a time of penance and discipline. The tradition of the 40 days recalls the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness, fasting and being tempted by Satan (Matthew 4:1-11). That is why many people have a practice of giving things up for these 40 days (fasting during the day, TV, chocolate, etc.) with a weekly allowance on Sundays.
