How does Lent work?

[Gwen'sMom]

Could someone tell me about Lent? I think it is about giving up something important. Can anyone participate? Do all denominations take part?

 

[Cygnus]

Lent is the forty day period between Ash Wednesday and the Saturday before Easter day. So there's about 3 and a half weeks left. It's meant to be symbolic of the forty days Jesus spent in the wilderness. There's traditional fasts that Catholics follow but you don't have to be Catholic to observe lent. Many people give up something they enjoy which sometimes is a food (such as chocolate) or could be a hobby (such as computer games).

 

[Gwen'sMom]

Thanks Cygnus, that's a great explanation. I think I will participate too.

 

[gloryseven]

Lent is a time to offer up sacrifices, Catholics eat fish or something other than meet on Fridays during this time. People 14 yrs and up to seniors are suppose to forsake one meal each day. It is important to offer sacrifices, giving up candy, chocolate, soda, etc. in order to show God our earnestness to draw closer to Him. This time is a time of comtemplation, so the church doesnt have flower arrangements, just sticks in vases. It is a time of prayer and increased seeking of Gods presence in our lives. This prepares us to celebrate Easter, the Risen Christ with more enthusiasm and renewed Spirit.
I was Christian and then converted to theCatholic faith 18 yrs ago. I am very thankful for the Mother Church, and the Most Holy Eucharist-the real body and blood of Christ. I am settled in my faith and love for Christ. Amen. I pray God will help you seek Him and draw closer to him in these days leading up to the Celebration of Easter. Amen.
PS I was so impressed that my 16 yr old daughter, Susanna, gave up candy and sodas for Lent, and I hadnt even mentioned anything about it. Wow, God is good. Amen.

 

[ephraimanesti]

Could someone tell me about Lent? I think it is about giving up something important. Can anyone participate? Do all denominations take part?

MY SISTER,

Here is one definition of the Lenten Fast which i have found very helpful:

FASTING
​

FASTING is the refusal to accept the desires and urges of our fallen nature as “normal”, the effort to free ourselves from the dictatorship of flesh and matter over the spirit. To be effective, however, our fast must not be hypocritical, a “showing off.” We must “appear not unto men to fast but only to our Father who is in secret.”

Rightly understood, fasting is the only means by which man recovers his true spiritual nature. It is not a theoretical but truly a practical challenge to the great Liar who managed to convince us that we depend on bread alone and built all human knowledge, science, and existence on that lie. Fasting is a denunciation of that lie and also the proof that it is a lie. It is highly significant that it was while fasting that Christ met Satan and that He said later that Satan cannot be overcome “but by fasting and prayer.” Fasting is the real fight against the Devil because it is the challenge to that one all-embracing law which makes him the “Prince of this world.” Yet if one is hungry and then discovers that he can truly be independent of that hunger, not be destroyed by it but just on the contrary, can transform it into a source of spiritual power and victory, then nothing remains of that great lie in which we have been living since Adam.

--from GREAT LENT by Alexander Schmemann

P.S. The last 30 or so Posts on my Blog have to do with verious aspects of Great Lent--you may hopefully find them helpful. (Lenten stuff starts about #291)

www.christianforums.com/t2852083-serendipity.html
​

A BOND-SLAVE OF CHRIST,
ephraim
​

​

 

[ozmum]

Lent is not a Biblical teaching .It has nothing to do with the Gospel.

 

[ephraimanesti]

Lent is not a Biblical teaching .It has nothing to do with the Gospel.

MY DEAR SISTER,

Our Lord teaches us in the Gospel that Prayer and Fasting are primary components in our Christian walk:

"BUT WHEN YOU PRAY, GO INTO YOUR ROOM, CLOSE THE DOOR AND PRAY TO YOUR FATHER, WHO IS UNSEEN. THEN YOUR FATHER, WHO SEES WHAT IS DONE IN SECRET, WILL REWARD YOU." (Matthew 6:6)

"BUT WHEN YOU FAST, PUT OIL ON YOUR HEAD AND WASH YOUR FACE, SO THAT IT WILL NOT BE OBVIOUS TO MEN THAT YOU ARE FASTING, BUT ONLY TO YOUR FATHER, WHO IS UNSEEN; AND YOUR FATHER, WHO SEES WHAT IS DONE IN SECRET, WILL REWARD YOU." (Matthew 6:17-18)

Lent is, basically, 40 days of Prayer and Fasting to prepare for our Lord's Resurrection on Easter. WHAT COULD HAVE MORE TO DO WITH THE GOSPEL THAN THIS?

A BOND-SLAVE OF CHRIST,
ephraim

 

[LilLamb219]

Lent is not a Biblical teaching .It has nothing to do with the Gospel.

The Lenten season leads up to Easter; a most glorious day for Christians! It helps to educate the people when the church goes through the Lenten season and explains the background. Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday are all helpful in learning why we need a Savior and what He has done for us. I wouldn't brush it aside so easily.