(SBA) - I was raised as a non-Catholic, and so I didn’t pay much attention to the season of Lent, although I did, on occasion, “give something up” during that time period. I never really understood the purpose of Lent and as a Southern Baptist, I only knew that Lent ended on Easter Sunday, a time when the women of my church wore big hats and white shoes for the first time that season. Easter Sunday was a big deal in my church because all the women that I knew bought new dresses with matching hats and began wearing white gloves along with their white pumps. I don’t remember any of the men purchasing new clothing for that special Sunday, although my mother probably bought my father a new tie. The men of my parents’ generation wore suits seven days a week and so new suits might have been worn, but no one really paid attention to men’s attire, at least not in my memory.
But what is the real purpose of Lent? The 40 days of Lent involve fasting, prayer and almsgiving to connect more deeply with God. As observed by Roman Catholic, Eastern European and some Protestant churches, many congregants use the 40 days of Lent as a time for personal reflection to prepare one’s heart and mind for the joy of Good Friday and Easter. The origin of the word “Lent” comes from the Old English “lencten” which means springtime and from the West Germanic “langitinaz” meaning long days or the lengthening of the day.
Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent, is traditionally a time for confession, repentance and feasting and marks the end of Mardi Gras as celebrated in New Orleans and other cities throughout the world. The word “Shrove” comes from the Old English word, “shriven,” meaning to confess sins and receive absolution. It is customary to forgive others with whom one is in conflict and to pay small debts so that the worshipper can enter the season of Lent with a clear conscience. Daniel 9:3 relates “Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes.”
There are several key days late in Lent, beginning with Palm Sunday that marks the period known as Holy Week. Palm Sunday recalls Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem when the people welcomed Him with palm branches and joyously proclaimed Jesus as their King. Maundy Thursday of Holy Week reflects the Last Supper when Jesus shared a final meal with his disciples and demonstrated humility by washing his followers’ feet. Good Friday is a prayerful day that commemorates Jesus’ crucifixion. Despite the sorrowful events, the day is called “Good” because Jesus secured the redemption of all believers by his ultimate sacrifice. This year, Lent began on Wednesday, March 5th and will end on Saturday, April 19th, following the 40-day tradition.
Lent is a symbolic marking of 40 days reflected in several significant biblical events including
*Jesus’ 40 days of fasting and temptation in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11)
*Moses spending 40 days on Mount Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments (Exodus 34:28)
*Elijah’s 40-day journey to Mount Horeb (1 Kings 19:8)
*The 40 days of rain during the Great Flood (Genesis 7:12)
*The Israelites’ 40 years of wandering in the desert (Numbers 14:33)
During Lent, Christians honor the 40 days and nights that followed Jesus’ baptism when He went into the wilderness without food of water and was tempted by Satan. Christ wrestled with temptation during that fast. Fasting was not unusual in those times, albeit fasting for 40 days would no doubt lead to death for normal human beings. Biblical figures often fasted when entreating God in important matters. “So, we fasted and implored our God….and He listened to our entreaty.” (Ezra 8:23) The Israelites “mourned and wept and fasted till evening for Saul and his son Jonathan, and for the army of the Lord and for the nation of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.” (2 Samuel 1:12)
Fasting during Lent usually involves abstaining from certain foods or luxuries as a form of self-discipline and as a recognition of the sufferings of Jesus. The primary purpose of Lent is to be a time of repentance and an awareness that sin separates one from God and that Christ saved the sinners from eternal death. Believers can observe Lent by confessing of their sins, praying both for oneself and for others, fasting as a sacrifice and not a religious duty, and spending time with God. Quiet and solitude enables one to listen to the Spirit and to discern answers to prayer.
It is important to note one’s motives for observing Lent. In (Matthew 6:16) Christ told his disciples “When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that others may see their fasting. Truly, I say unto you, they have received their reward.” The intent of a Lenten observance is to draw closer to God and to prepare our hearts for the celebration of Easter. No matter how you choose to observe the Lenten season, know that if one has a comfortable life, Lent offers a time to empathize with those who have less and may, truly, be suffering. One Lenten prayer ends with “Grant me to see my own errors and not to unjustly or hastily judge my brother.” Amen
Soon enough, it will be time for the white shoes and the big hats.
