Lent - What do you do?

[Becca]

I've been wondering, what do people here 'do' for Lent? Fast entirely, fast during daylight hours, just give up X food or ingredient?
Also what are you 'supposed' to do, within the faith or family tradition?

Becca

[Damaris]

I have never observed Lent.

I've heard about it, but by the time it rolls around each year I forget to consider it until it's too late. I personally do not feel any obligation to fast on those certain days, though fasting in general is a good thing.

[AliveInHim]

Originally Posted by Becca

I've been wondering, what do people here 'do' for Lent? Fast entirely, fast during daylight hours, just give up X food or ingredient?
Also what are you 'supposed' to do, within the faith or family tradition?

Becca

Lent is something that is very important to me. It is part of the full liturgical calendar that is practiced by liturgical churches (e.g., Catholic, Orthodox, Episcopalian, Lutheran, Presbyterian USA, United Methodist, and United Methodist). I am United Methodist. I grew up with Lent, and it is something that absolutely enhances my faith.

Lent begins with Ash Wednesday. It lasts 40 days, but this time period doesn't count Sundays. Sundays are NOT counted as Lent because each Sunday is a day of feasting. We worship as Christians because of the Resurrection of Christ. Each Sunday should be a day of celebration, not a day of fasting. That's why it isn't counted in the 40 days. Lent is associated with fasting; however, there is more to it than this. The last week of Lent is called "Holy Week". It beings with Sunday remembering the day that Christ came into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday). Thursday of the week is the day we remember the Last Supper (Maundy Thursday). Friday is the day we remember the crucifixion (Good Friday). The following Sunday is Easter, and that is the day Lent is over.

Lent is a time of repentance, fasting and preparation for the coming of Easter. It is a time of self-examination and reflection. In the early church, Lent was a time to prepare new converts for baptism. Today, Christians focus on their relationship with God, often choosing to give up something or volunteering and giving of themselves for others. The forty days represents the time Jesus spent in the wilderness, enduring the temptation of Satan. (Source: Our mission is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. - UMC.org)

During this time, we usually are reminded of the following scripture, that is normally read on the day of Ash Wednesday during the service.

Joel 2:12-14, "Yet even now, says the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the Lord, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and relents from punishing. who knows whether he will not turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind him, a grain offering and a drink offering for the Lord, your God?"

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season of Lent. It is a day of penitence and remembrance of our sins of the past and our ultimate mortality. Palm branches are usually burned and the sign of the cross is placed on the forehead using the ashes. Sometimes a small card or piece of paper is distributed on which each person writes a sin he wishes to be rid of. The cards are then brought to the altar to be burned along with the palm branches. The ash cross is an outward sign of our sorrow and repentance for sins. (Source: Our mission is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. - UMC.org)

This is a time of repentance. That is the important thing. Christ gave up his life, why can't we or shouldn't we fast for him in remembrance of the very act that gives us the grace that sustains us? Many people associated Lent with giving up food, but that isn't the ONLY thing someone can fast. Usually people do not fast a full meal or all meals in the day. Some fast a particular food item (cheese, meat, pastas, sweets, and so on). Others (like myself) that have health problems and shouldn't fast particular foods fast OTHER things (internet, hobbies, TV, and so on). The point is to use the time you spend on the item you are fasting and direct that time to God instead.

I hope this answers your question. If you want to know anything else, let me know. I love Lent!

Love and Light,
Amanda

[Becca]

Wow! Thanks, that's really cool from both of you
I'm Church of England / Protestant Christian, but closer to non-denominal. I may try fasting this coming Lent :P

[Kmstreet64]

i'm Baptist, so i've never done Lent, but it really does sound interesting. when is Ash Wednesday?

[Becca]

Changes each year, but I'm pretty sure it's near the end of Feb next year. 27th maybe, I remember something about that...

[AliveInHim]

Originally Posted by Kmstreet64

i'm Baptist, so i've never done Lent, but it really does sound interesting. when is Ash Wednesday?

Yes, Lent changes each year because Easter changes each year. Easter is the first Sunday after the first full moon after the Spring Equinox. Once that day is set, 40 days (not counting the Sundays) is counted backwards. The day it lands on is ALWAYS a Wednesday, and that will be Ash Wednesday (the beginning of Lent).

For 2010, Ash Wednesday starts the 17th of February.

Amanda

[xspinningisfun]

We don't celebrate lent...I don't really understand the process of it. HA.

[AliveInHim]

Originally Posted by xspinningisfun

We don't celebrate lent...I don't really understand the process of it. HA.

It's just a season in the Christian year. It is about repentance. That's really all it is. It's a time of fasting and repentance before the triumph of the resurrection.

Amanda