Christian Living

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Lent—A Period Of Reflection And Renewal
© 2005

by

Stephen A. Peterson


February 9, 2005 marks the beginning of Lent, the season leading up to the most significant holiday on the Catholic, indeed Christian calendar—Easter. Recently, this writer was asked by a young teenage Catholic just why the dates for the beginning of the Lenten season changes from year to year. So I put on my research cap!

Early in the fourth century A.D.(or 300’s), the church decided to celebrate Easter on the Sunday following the spring equinox, which allows the date to fall between March 22nd and April 25th. In the year 2005 Easter is March 27.

Lent originally was a 40 hour fast period from Good Friday through Easter Sunday morning. However, in the year 325 AD, this period was set aside as a time for personal reflection and reconciliation and extended to 40 days. In reality, the actual period is 46 days because Sundays are not nor were not counted as Lenten days.

So why 40 days? Because Lent is a period of personal reflection, self-denial and fasting. Additionally, the number “40" has great and significant meaning in the Judeo-Christian tradition (Catholic/Christian) tradition. When God decided to destroy the earth by a great flood, it rained for 40 days and 40 nights while Noah, his family and the animals survived in the arch. Moses was reported to have fasted on Mount Sinai for 40 days. The nation of Israel following their liberation from Egyptian slavery wandered in the Sinai desert for 40 years. The prophet Elijah fasted 40 days as did Jesus Christ before He began His public ministry.

In Catholicism, the Roman, Orthodox and Coptic Rites, place a cross of burnt ashes on the faithful’s forehead. The clergy, as he places the ashes on the person’s forehead, states, “Remember man that you are dust and to dust you will return.” (Genesis 3:19)

Lent is a reminder to the faithful/believers of whatever Christian denomination that they have a finite number of years in their life on the earth. The Lenten period is a time to reflect upon the Passion and death of Jesus Christ—that is, His sacrifice for the salvation of humankind and repent of the sin in our life. Whether the Lenten period will be for some form of self-denial or aspect of spiritual discipline or reflection, this season is a great period for believers to take inventory of their faith, to renew one’s commitment to the commands of God or to restate one’s dedication to the Christian way of life. The Lenten period should be a renewal in preparation for the most joyous act of Christianity—the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, our salvation and reconciliation with God.

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