 |
| By Oxh973 (Own work by Jennifer Balaska) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons |
Many people see us Catholics with ashes on our foreheads at the beginning of the Lenten season and say you have some dirt on your forehead. A mark on your forehead was a symbol of ownership. So by having the Priest place the sign of the cross on our foreheads we are showing that we belong to Jesus Christ. It also shows our belief in Jesus and that we love him by are outward symbol. Lent is also a time for us to remember Baptism. It is a time for us to prepare for Baptism or for a renewal of our Baptismal Vows. It is also to remind us that we should humble our hearts and also that life passes away. In other words from dust you came and dust you shall return. Here is a link to an excellent article on Ash Wednesday from EWTN http://www.ewtn.com/library/answers/ash_wed.htm .
 |
| By U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Brian May [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons |
So where does Lent get it's beginnings one may ask. First lets have an explanation of where the word Lent comes from. The word Lent is used to show the 40 days before Easter as a time of fasting. Originally the word lent meant spring time or the spring season, which just happens to be March. A better explanation comes from the Catholic Encyclopedia and here is a link to it http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09152a.htm .
 |
| Julian Fałat [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons |
Some may ask does Lent get it's beginnings in the bible. I would say that Lent itself is not in the bible, but the practice does seem to have biblical similarities. For example we see in Genisis 7:4, Exodus 24:18, 34:28, Numbers 13:25, 14:33, John 3:4 . You can see the similarities with Christ fasting in the desert for 40 days. You can also see that fasting was a biblical practice by the people. In Matthew Jesus figured that the disciples would fast and this can be read in Matthew Chapter 9 verses 14 to 15 .
14 Then John's disciples came to him and said, 'Why is it that we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not?'
15 Jesus replied, 'Surely the bridegroom's attendants cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is still with them? But the time will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast." Then in Matthew chapter 6 verses 16 thru 18 we see Jesus telling his disciples how to fast "
16 'When you are fasting, do not put on a gloomy look as the hypocrites do: they go about looking unsightly to let people know they are fasting. In truth I tell you, they have had their reward.
18 so that no one will know you are fasting except your Father who sees all that is done in secret; and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you." So we can see that we are following the same methods today.
Another question people ask is why do you abstain or do not eat meat on Fridays during lent. We do not eat meat on Fridays during Lent, because Jesus was crucified on a Friday. This way we are showing our love and belief in Jesus Christ. What we practice is also very similar to Daniel Chapter 10 verses 2 thru 3 where it reads "
2 At that time, I, Daniel, was doing a three-week penance;
3 I ate no agreeable food, touched no meat or wine, and did not anoint myself, until these three weeks were over."
Ash Wednesday
 |
| Carl Spitzweg [Public domain or Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons |
So as you can see from the bible we are generally following pretty much the same practices that people practiced in the old testament as well as the new testament. Here is an excellent question and answer article from ewtn http://www.ewtn.com/library/ANSWERS/LENT.HTM . Here is an excellent video with Scott Hahn talking about Lent http://youtu.be/KjV_KkJ5km4 . This video may help in understanding Lent http://youtu.be/MnBcE6vyo0Q . Finally here is an article on Lent http://www.catholic.org/clife/lent/faq.php .
Thank You for reading and God Bless.
No comments:
Post a Comment