A couple of years ago I was with a fairly non-religious group of people on Ash Wednesday and the conversation turned in a way that surprised me. “What are you giving up for Lent?” the older, curmudgeonly gentleman asked. “Cheese” was a young lady’s quick reply. “I am giving up cheese. The doctors suspect that I have a lactose intolerance, and this seems like a good opportunity to test the theory.”
“I am giving up playing the Lotto,” answered another. “The money that I save will more than pay for our Spring Break trip to Panama City.”
My cantankerous friend, who posed the question, smirked as he was about to posture the definitive answer. “This year I am giving up Lent.”
It’s kind of ironic; we sacrifice things that are marginal, often for our own benefit. Perhaps more appropriate would be forcing ourselves to do something. Instead of fasting an afternoon or giving up meat on Fridays, we should force ourselves to eat something that we don’t like.
Brussels sprouts.
Enough said.
The History of Lent
Truthfully, fewer and fewer people are aware of Christianity’s heritage, including Lent, a tradition that dates back to the second century in the early church. Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. Occurring 46 days before Easter, it can fall as early as February 4th or as late as March 10th. The 40 day period (not counting Sundays; they are considered a “mini-Easter” in the Catholic Church) is to be reflective of the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert.
Ash Wednesday takes its name from the practice of placing ashes across the foreheads of the participants in the form of a cross. Its purpose was to cause people to celebrate the day, to remind us of human mortality, and as a sign of mourning and repentance before God. Traditionally, the ashes used were gathered from the burning of the palms from the previous year’s Palm Sunday services.
In the Catholic Church, the time of Lent emphasizes prayer, penance, sacrifice and good works in preparation for the celebration of the resurrection of the Lord. The Vatican Council II placed greater emphasis upon Lent as a time to “hear God’s word more frequently and devote more time to prayer” (no. 109). The word “lent” itself is from an Anglo-Saxon word meaning “Spring.”
Evidence of a time of preparation for Easter surfaces early in church history. Irenaeus (c130 – c200) wrote to Pope Victor I about the different practices in preparing for Easter Sunday. Historian Eusebius (c275-339) writes that such observances did not originate in his time, but in the time of our forefathers (Eusebius, Church History). In 325, the Council of Nicea discussed a 40-day Lenten season of fasting.
The Symbolism of 40
Numbers play a significant role in the Bible. “Forty” often paints a picture of waiting and preparation. Noah and his family are shut up in the ark, enduring the deluge of water from the heavens for 40 days and nights (Genesis 7:17). Moses spends another 40 days and nights on top of Mount Sinai, without food or drink, as he experiences the presence of God (Exodus 34:28). Later God’s patience with Israel has worn thin and he sentences them to wandering in the desert for 40 years, punishment for their grumbling and idol worship.
Jesus spends 40 days in the wilderness, preparing for the beginning of his earthly ministry by a time of prayer and fasting. [su_pullquote align=”right”][su_quote cite=”Mother Teresa”]Pain and suffering have come into your life, but remember pain, sorrow, suffering are but the kiss of Jesus – a sign that you have come so close to Him that He can kiss you.[/su_quote][/su_pullquote] It is also very telling that during this time of physical sacrifice and spiritual reflection and renewal, Satan chose that opportune moment to throw everything that he could at Jesus.
Fasting
Fasting became an important ingredient in keeping the traditions of Lent. Rules for fasting varied, but a couple of characteristics seemed to be most noticeable. Many abstained from all forms of meat and animal products, though some made exceptions for fish. In the fifth century, Pope Gregory wrote to the Bishop of Canterbury saying, “We abstain from flesh, meat, and from all things that come from flesh, as milk, cheese and eggs.”
Over the years, modifications to fasting were adopted. Dispensations were first given if a pious work was performed. Soon a person could have one meal a day, either in the evening or at 3:00pm. Today the only days of real fasting are on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Many abstain from meat on Fridays, replacing meat with fish.
Sacrifice
The current traditions still encourage people to “give up something” for Lent. This becomes a sacrifice, symbolically remembering the sacrifice of Jesus. Technically, Sundays are exempt so one could partake of the items sacrificed for Lent once a week.
Prayer & Study
The purpose of the 40-day time of Lent is to help you disconnect from the regular habits and patterns of this world. Breaking the comfortable ways can allow you to connect to God in new, different and more meaningful ways. Fasting separates you from the eating habits and lifestyles formed over time. Replacing the way you spend your leisure time with prayer and Bible study assists in leading you to the very presence of God.
The Xavier University website offers this prayer:
[su_pullquote align=”left”][su_quote cite=”Author Unknown”]
Almighty and ever living God,
you invite us deeper into your world, your people, your Lent.
May this time be one of outward focus;
seeking you in those we often ignore.
Help us live a Lent focused on freedom, generosity, and encounter.
Give us hearts hungry to serve you
and those who need what we have to give.
[/su_quote][/su_pullquote]
Because each week contains a Sunday of worship and celebration, each week allows you to recommit and rekindle your desire to grow closer to God in this journey. Lent is about self-discovery, self-sacrifice and personal discipline.
Value for All
While Lent is a Catholic tradition, many other denominations follow similar practices, including Western Orthodox Churches, Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians and Episcopal churches. In a study conducted in 2014, a little over 70% of adults knew what Lent was. Of those who participate in Lent, almost 90% if people were giving up a food item for the 40 days. Chocolate was the food people were most likely to give up.
The practice of observing Lent remains in the discretion of each believer. While it is not an observance required by the Bible, the benefits of 40 days of prayer, fasting and study seem obvious to most. It is impossible to over-estimate the value of keeping traditions in the lives of the faithful.