getting ready for lent

As a soon to be new Catholic, Lent is a brand new experience for me. This is my first! Coming from a Baptist background I never really understood Lent. If you’ve ever wondered what is Lent? When is lent? How do you do it and why? Keep reading and I’ll share what I’ve uncovered and learned so far.

What is Lent: Lent is a 40-day liturgical season that begins on Ash Wednesday and concludes at the Great Vigil of Easter (Sundays are not included in the 40-day count because every Sunday is a joyful celebration of Jesus’ resurrection.) The 40 days recalls the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness, fasting and being tempted by Satan (Matthew 4:1-11). Lent is considered a time of penance and discipline which is why you “give something up.” These sacrifices are a form of penance.

When is Lent: Lent starts on Ash Wednesday (February 17, 2010.) On this day, Catholics focus on their complete sinfulness and the necessity of Christ’s suffering and death to insure their salvation. Ashes are referred to many times in the Old Testament as signs of sorrow, mourning, humility, and repentance, and on Ash Wednesday they are used to remind people of their mortality—that “you are dust, and to dust you shall return” (Genesis 3:19). Many churches use ashes during Ash Wednesday worship in a ritual called the Imposition of Ashes. In this custom, ashes are mixed with a small amount of oil and applied to the forehead of each worshipper.

How do you do it and why: Lucky for me the strictest fasting rules were eliminated in the Roman Catholic Church in 1966. Now, only Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are required to be strict fasting days. The Catholic Church asks that we fast and abstain from meat (except fish) on certain days (Ash Wednesday and all of the Fridays during Lent.) Fasting means to limit food to one full meal a day with the possibility of two smaller meals (not adding up to a full meal) as needed. Another big part of Lent of course is penance, which is still observed and marked by alms giving (doing for others, making voluntary contributions to aid the poor, - basically putting others before yourself) devoting time to prayer and Bible reading.

Lent is a period of reflextion, a time to help remind us of the Lord’s sacrifice. For me during this time I’ll pray (a lot,) help and give to others as much as possible (cleaning out and donating things I no longer need, helping out and giving more,) just as Jesus did for me. I won’t eat meat on Friday’s or Ash Wednesday. And as for what I am going to give up, I’m still praying about that. I’ll post an update as soon as I know -