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ABOUT THE SEASON OF LENT
The season now known as Lent (from an Old English word for “spring") has a long history. In the earliest period, Christians were accustomed to fasting for up to two days before the Pascha, or "Easter." Over time this was lengthened to six days, and then eventually this fast became attached to the forty day fast of Christ in the wilderness. This forty-day fast was especially important for converts to the faith who were preparing for baptism, and for those guilty of notorious sins who were being restored to the Christian assembly. In the western church the forty days of Lent begin on Ash Wednesday and end on the Saturday before Easter, omitting Sundays. The last three days of Lent are the sacred Triduum of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday.
All Christians are invited “to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God's holy Word” (BCP, p. 265). In the Episcopal tradition we leave the particulars up to the individuals. But here are some suggestions on how you might observe Lent:
- Don't just give up something that you have to give up for health concerns or dieting. Make your fast a voluntary self-denial that you offer to God in penitence and prayer.
- Refrain from eating meat (bloody foods) on all Fridays in Lent, substituting fish for example.
- Eliminate a food or food group from your diet for the entire season (sugar, carbohydrates, soda, caffeine)
- Consider not eating before receiving Holy Communion during Lent.
- Abstain from or limit a favorite activity (television, movies, etc.) for the entire season, and spend more time in prayer, Bible study, or reading devotional material.
- On Good Friday, eat one simple meal during the day, usually without meat.
- Take on a new ministry or give to a charitable cause.
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