Lent is a season that prepares us for Easter. Easter is considered the greatest feast of the liturgical year, as such, the need to set aside some days of fasting in preparation for such an important feast.
However, lent lasts for a period of forty (40) days, which is symbolic to the forty days Jesus spent in the wilderness. Lent prepares catechumens ( those preparing to receive the sacraments of Christian initiation and for the feast of Easter.
For Christians in general, it is considered as a period where Christians are expected to live a life of spiritual renewal, a period to recommit one's self to life in Christ and to repent of our sins and to reconcile with God.
For those who are already baptized (faithfuls), lent gives them a better understanding of their baptismal identity.
Lent usually begins on ash Wednesday
and ends on holy Thursday afternoon. Ash Wednesday is one that reminds us that we should draw closer to God, it also reminds us that we are all made from dust and to dust we shall all return. The lenten season is marked in a very special way through these three traditional dimensions :
i) prayer.
ii) Fasting.
iii) Almsgiving
Prayer is the act of communicating with God. It creates room for God in our lives and we can express our desires to become deeper in friendship with Christ. Therefore, it is adviceable that we set some time for prayers during this period and endeavor to be faithful to our prayer plans.
Fasting is the willingness to abstain from or reduce the intake of some or all food, drink or both, for a period of time. It has to do with denying oneself of something.
When fasting is done properly, it helps to renew our relationship with God. Fasting may take different forms which includes the following :
. It could be in the former of denying ourselves of something in order to share it with others (those in need).
. It could be a way of devoting more time to God in our lives, knowing that man need not live on bread alone but also depend on spiritual food (the word of God).
. Fasting could also take the form of ourselves of some early pleasures like drinking, food, festivity, smoking, etc.
Things we shouldn't do while fasting
1.) we shouldn't go about telling people that we are fasting. It is hypocritic.
2.) we mustn't put on a dull face or look gloomy or sober. So that people do not start to wonder what the problem is. Besides, it is considered hypocritic.
3.) we must avoid distractions that could lead us to sin.
4.) do not deprive yourself of something that is capable of causing harm to you if you don't take it.
5.) medical conditions should be considered when deciding on what to abstain from.
6.) guard against pride while fasting.
Alms giving has to do with sharing with others what the lord God has given us. i.e giving to those in need. We must take into cognizance the sufferings of other and not that of christ alone.
How to give alms.
1.) Give out things that are still in good shape and not things that worthless or condemned.
2.) while giving, we should not allow people to know that we are giving, so that the lord who sees in secret will reward us
3.) we should not give because we are expecting to get something in return.
What to expect during lent
. Alters are usually not decorated with flowers.
. Violet or purple is the liturgical colour of Lent.
As such, the colour is used to decorate the alter. While alter servers and other ministers may wear purple albs and tunics.
. There is a custom of covering statues, images and crosses, usually at the end of the fourth week of Lent and this is expected to remain that way till the end of the celebration of the passion of the lord on good friday.
. Confession or reconciliation with God 's recommended as often as possible.
. Gospel acclamation (alleluia) is suspended and any of these may be used in place:
i) glory and praise to you O Christ.
ii) glory to you O Christ, wisdom of God the father.
iii) glory to you O Christ, word of God.
iv) glory to you O Christ, son of the living God.
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