Lent

Posted February 2nd, 2010 by admin

Lent is a forty-day period before Easter when we prepare to observe Christ’s death on Good Friday and his resurrection on Easter. The forty days begin on Ash Wednesday, February 17, and end on Holy or Maundy Thursday, April 1. We do not count the Sundays when we count the forty days, because they are considered “little Easters” as they commemorate the resurrection. The number 40 is significant because Jesus spent 40 days at the start of his ministry fasting, praying and resisting temptation, which is what we are called to do during Lent.
On Ash Wednesday, many receive ashes as a sign of grief and repentance. The ashes come from last year’s palms that have been burned. Even though we do not receive and wear ashes in the Presbyterian Church, we still feel truly sorry that we do not live a life that is closer to God and that we truly intend to do better.
Ask yourself, “What can I do during Lent to truly make me more open to God and make me more ready to celebrate Easter?”