by Geoffrey Schmitt

Created on: October 22, 2009   Last Updated: October 24, 2009

In the spring of each year, Christians who follow a Liturgical Calendar, celebrate a season called Lent. It begins with Ash Wednesday and ends with the beginning of celebration of Jesus Resurrection on Easter. The Episcopal Book of Common Prayer lays out its purpose in an exhortation to the congregation in the Ash Wednesday service.

The first Christians observed with great devotion the days of our Lord's passion and resurrection, and it became the custom of the Church to prepare for them by a season of penitence and fasting.

It goes on to explain how historically this was a time in which converts to the faith were prepared for Holy Baptism and a time when those who had fallen away from the church were reconciled by penitence and forgiveness.

The observance of Lent includes, self-examination, and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; by reading and meditating on God's holy Word.

Often Christians who are otherwise less than diligent in making it to church each week will make an extra effort to come to Ash Wednesday services. For many it is third most important celebration of their faith behind only Christmas, and Easter. The faithful receive a mark of the cross on their foreheads in ashes. In some churches, the ashes a made by burning palm fronds from the previous year's celebration of Palm Sunday. The ominous word's Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return, as said as the ashes are imposed upon the faithful.

However, Lent is not all sobriety and darkness. Many churches experience an increase in fellowship as members gather for weekly meals and meditations. It can also be a time to organize outreach projects and acts of charity in response to the Biblical commands of the Old Testament.

Is this the kind of fast I have chosen,
only a day for a man to humble himself?
Is it only for bowing one's head like a reed
and for lying on sackcloth and ashes?
Is that what you call a fast,
a day acceptable to the LORD ?

6 "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?

7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter
when you see the naked, to clothe him,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness [a] will go before you,
and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard

Many Christians follow the tradition of giving up something for Lent. This often involves food, as in sweets and desserts or even meat. Many will use it as an incentive to go on a diet, or give up smoking. It is also a time when many take up new habits, like daily Bible reading, or an exercise program. The more spiritually serious will seek out a pastor or spiritual adviser for confession or spiritual counseling.

As Lent comes to an end many churches will observe Maundy Thursday, to recall the Last Supper and Good Friday marks the day Jesus died on the Cross. Often church sanctuaries will be stripped bare of all but built in furniture. Then by contrast Easter Sunday is a brighter, happier, feast day celebration.

If your church does not have the tradition of celebrating the seasons of the church year like Lent, it could be an enriching spiritual experience to try some of these practices on your own.

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