Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. Lent is a 40 day period, excluding Sundays, during which Christians prepare themselves spiritually for the commemoration of Christ's suffering, death and resurrection. Beginning in the second century, Christians would undergo a brief period of fasting and prayer in preparation for Good Friday and Easter. By the fourth century the period had been extended to 40 days to coincide with the 40 days that Jesus fasted and prayed in the wilderness at the beginning of his ministry (which coincided with the 40 days Moses and Elijah fasted in the Old Testament). The season was originally called "the forty days" but later came to be called Lent - from the Old English, lengten, a reference to the lengthening of the days that happens in the springtime.
Lent is probably best known today as the period during which people fast "from something," like chocolate, Coke, or even the usage of Facebook. Lenten fasting has a history: It was common to fast from meat and dairy products during Lent, so on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday communities would cook all of their meat and dairy products, making pancakes and other elaborate meals - these parties became known as "carnivals" from the Latin carni vale - which means "farewell to meat." This also became known as mardi gras which comes from the French for "fat Tuesday" - an appropriate name because on that day everyone "pigged out".
Lent was the season when Christian converts made their final preparation for receiving their baptism and first communion at the Easter vigil. It was also a time of repentance for those who had abandoned the faith during the persecutions. The season is a time for more intense and intentional spiritual growth during which we remember the message, the life, the suffering and death of Christ.
We at North Street have observed the 40 Days of Lent in various ways over the past couple of years. At the Ash Wednesday Gathering this evening, I will hand out our 40 Days of Lent individual and community practices pamphlet.
As usual on Wednesdays, we'll share our community meal at 6:00 PM and then move to the sanctuary for worship at 7:00 PM. I hope to see you tonight!
For & Through Christ,
Pastor Jeremy
Pastor Jeremy
(Thanks to Rev. Adam Hamilton for help with some of the history of Lent.)
