The Season of Lent: Finding Life in the Desert

What is Lent? ‘Lent’ is the Old English word for ‘Spring’ It is the 40 days before Easter (not counting Sundays, which are not days of Fast) However, most believe Lent formally ends at the start of the Triduum (Holy Thursday night) The Triduum is Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday Modeled after Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness, where He was tempted by Satan, and withstood the attacks through prayer and fasting 40 is the “journey” number in the Bible---Noah was on the ark for 40 days, Moses spent 40 days on Mt. Sinai with God when he received the 10 Commandments, and then he and the Israelites wandered in the Desert for 40 years, Elijah sent 40 days walking to Mt. Horeb

Associated Customs of Lent Prayer---justice to God Fasting---justice to self (one large meal and two smaller meals per day, no meat on Fridays) Almsgiving---justice to neighbor St. Augustine described fasting and almsgiving as "the two wings of prayer," because they are signs of humility and charity Omission of Gloria and Alleluia at Mass Lent is a time of sober reflection Religious items are sometimes veiled in violet No holy water in the baptismal font

Ashes: “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return Ashes: “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” Genesis 3:19 Ashes were used to express grief and penance beginning in the Old Testament Made from burning the palm branches from last year’s Palm Sunday Ashes are a sacramental--- a sacred sign that doesn’t infuse grace but does prepare one to receive grace and moves one toward cooperating with grace Other sacramentals include the Sign of the Cross, holy water, blessed salt, blessed crucifixes and blessed candles Old formula: “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” Genesis 3:19 Words spoken to Adam and Eve after the Fall In the 1969 revision of the Roman Rite, an alternative formula (based on Mark 1:15) was introduced: “Repent, and believe in the Gospel.”

Reflection Questions: What is the purpose behind asking one to pray, fast, and give alms more during Lent? What is gained? What do you normally do to grow in relationship with God? What have past Lents looked like? What’s worked? What hasn’t? What do you plan to do in the next week to begin preparing for a good Lent? Spend a few moments thinking about what can you give up to grow closer to God? What can you take on to grow closer to God? Discuss.