Lent

[Monica02]

I think fasting is against the Baptist doctrine of the potluck.

Since Chinese New Year falls within the Lent season this year, the vatican has exempted chinese Catholics from fasting during the overlap period.

This reminds of something a pastor did last year during Lent. The school was was having a "Donut Sunday" fudraiser and sales were low , probably due to people giving up sweets for Lent, so the priest exempted everyone from their obligations on "Donut Sundays". The congregation got a chuckle out of that.


I just read in another post that Sundays are not included in Lent --this explains why Lent is not exactly 40 days. Most people just maintain their sacrifice until Easter. Maybe the Pastor above just reminded people of the Sunday exclusion. Gotta sell those donuts!

 

[Jeffrey A]

Against my better judgement P) I used wikipedia in honor of GD: (...) The fourth Sunday within Lent is sometimes referred to as Laetare Sunday, particularly by Roman Catholics, and the Sunday following was originally known as Passion Sunday\, though today the latter term is officially applied to the sixth and last Sunday of Lent, or Palm Sunday, the day that Jesus entered Jerusalem as the "King of the Jews". His entry was marked by celebrations among his followers and many of the residents of Jerusalem, though it represented a major threat to the religious leaders and to Rome. Yet, Jesus' method of entry was symbolic for the purpose of his coming. Entering not on a war horse, but on a donkey (a symbol of peace), he foreshadowed that he would not accomplish his mission through violence, but through sacrifice. Maundy Thursday is the Thursday of the "Last Supper" shared by Jesus with his disciples, during which he gave a "Mandatum Novuum" or "New Commandment" (whence, 'Maundy Thursday') that the disciples "love one another" as Jesus loved them. Good Friday is the day that Jesus was crucified. He died on this day and was buried.

Since I'm Grace Brethren (branch of the retro-anabaptist Church of the Brethren) with no local Brethren Church with which to fellowship, I observe "passion week" with my family at home, and we've developed our own observances: on the Tuesday prior to Resurrection Sunday, we observe the "Last Supper" by washing feet, eating a love meal, and sharing the bread and cup. Then on Wednesday, we place a blood-red colored egg in a plain brown box, and seal it with wax. On Saturday night after the kids have gone to bed (i.e., after 3 days and 3 nights), we free the egg from the box, leaving the box wide open. Then on Sunday morning, the kids see the box, and tell us what happened, and what those symbols represent. Then we go to church.

Jeffrey A

 

[seebs]

What do we have to do for lent?

Have to? Nothing.

What should we do? Last year, I gave up eating during daylight hours. (I know, I know, that's Ramadan. But Ramadan's around November, so they weren't using it.) This year, I'm still trying to decide what to give up.

But I found it very uplifting and edifying, and I will do something. It's a good practice.

 

[Heatherondo]

I have no problem with anyone of the baptist faith giving up something for Lent, i think it could be a good exercise in faith. Much like fasting.
Actually i am thinking i may wanna do that this year...
How long does it go on, does anyone know?
(i may be a day late tho lol)

 

[seebs]

It's from today through Easter, excluding Sundays.