Lent. What is Lent? Why is everyone talking about what they are giving up? Why are they giving up things?
Lent is a solemn time in the church calendar between Epiphany and Easter that is the time of expectation, deep spirituality, and meditation on God's word. The practice of "giving up" something for Lent is usually a High Church practice, but many people decide to partake in the Lenten experience including Catholics, Anglicans (Episcopalians), Presbyterians, Methodists, and Lutherans. This forty day period is known for covering up crosses and refraining from using the Gloria and Alleluia.
The pre-lent period of Epiphany is a time of celebration. This is Carnival, Mardi Gras, Shrove Tuesday, etcetera. This is the time when, historically, all the meat would be eaten and all the plays, operas, and shows would take place. During Lent, these indulgences would be unavailable so all the fun had to be had before the period of fasting.
The pre-lent period of Epiphany is a time of celebration. This is Carnival, Mardi Gras, Shrove Tuesday, etcetera. This is the time when, historically, all the meat would be eaten and all the plays, operas, and shows would take place. During Lent, these indulgences would be unavailable so all the fun had to be had before the period of fasting.
There are three main things to be given up or taken up for Lent: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
Prayer:
Prayer is an invocation or an act of seeking God. Most religions utilize some form of prayer in their worship. During lent, prayer is usually used in seeking remission of sins and it is usually a time in which confession is a large part of prayer. Thanksgivings are also important in lent as well, but a heavier emphasis is put on solemn prayer.
Fasting:
Fasting is different for everyone. It is the practice of abstaining from something or self denial. Some people give up all food and just have liquid foods and water. Others eat only bread and water. Others have only one meal a day. Some people give up all meat while others just give up red meat. There are Fish Fridays and Meatless Mondays. Chocolate, alcohol, candy, junk food, carbonated beverages, and other "extravagances" are given up for the duration. Some people fast all 40 days of lent (this does not include Sundays as they are always feast days) while others fast only on Fridays and holy fast days. Fasting doesn't have to just be about abstaining from food. Facebook, Twitter, television, certain types of books, or "time wasting" activities are also popular things to abstain from in this time of devotion and inward and outward reflection.
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Almsgiving:
Almsgiving is the giving of things to others as an act of virtue. This could be money, possessions, food, time, or any other thing that can be given. Most people donate their time or money to charities, or they set up a change jar that they fill with their change throughout the month and then donate that or a double of that to a charity. Charity and love is one of the foundations of the Christian faith, so this time of reflection is a time for Christians to remember to give and think about it more fully than in their normal everyday lives.
Prayer:
Prayer is an invocation or an act of seeking God. Most religions utilize some form of prayer in their worship. During lent, prayer is usually used in seeking remission of sins and it is usually a time in which confession is a large part of prayer. Thanksgivings are also important in lent as well, but a heavier emphasis is put on solemn prayer.
Fasting:
Fasting is different for everyone. It is the practice of abstaining from something or self denial. Some people give up all food and just have liquid foods and water. Others eat only bread and water. Others have only one meal a day. Some people give up all meat while others just give up red meat. There are Fish Fridays and Meatless Mondays. Chocolate, alcohol, candy, junk food, carbonated beverages, and other "extravagances" are given up for the duration. Some people fast all 40 days of lent (this does not include Sundays as they are always feast days) while others fast only on Fridays and holy fast days. Fasting doesn't have to just be about abstaining from food. Facebook, Twitter, television, certain types of books, or "time wasting" activities are also popular things to abstain from in this time of devotion and inward and outward reflection.
.
Almsgiving:
Almsgiving is the giving of things to others as an act of virtue. This could be money, possessions, food, time, or any other thing that can be given. Most people donate their time or money to charities, or they set up a change jar that they fill with their change throughout the month and then donate that or a double of that to a charity. Charity and love is one of the foundations of the Christian faith, so this time of reflection is a time for Christians to remember to give and think about it more fully than in their normal everyday lives.
So, armed with these three ideas, what are my objectives this Lent 2014?
I'm going to be giving up the fandoms for lent. No more Sherlock fanfiction. No more funny Avengers memes. No more Doctor Who inspired facebook posts. Instead, I will pray everyday and read scriptures. I also will be going through my closet and giving away clothes that I don't wear and I will try to blog every day during Lent, no matter how short or how ramble-y the posts will be. I already have some ideas for posts, so be ready!
If you are having trouble deciding, here are some great ideas for things to do during LENT 2014!
If you are having trouble deciding, here are some great ideas for things to do during LENT 2014!
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