If you’re not Catholic, there is a very good chance that you’re still familiar with the time of the year called “Lent.” You probably know that Catholics go to church on a random Wednesday and come back with black stuff on our heads in the shape of a cross. You probably know that we have to fast and even give up meat entirely every Friday. One of the most well-known aspects of Lent is the concept of giving something up; for some it’s junk food, or maybe video games, for others it’s sweets or cussing. Generally, I think these are the big concepts that most onlookers know about the Lenten season leading up to Easter.
Admittedly, if I was not Catholic, some of these practices would seem highly strange. Even as a Catholic I can admit that some of the practices are eyebrow-raising to me. Believe it or not, each one of these unique exercises has a deeply held traditional purpose. That’s what I’m going to break down. For anyone who is confused about what this time of the year means to 1.2 billion Christians world-wide, keep reading.
Lent is considered the 40 days leading up to Easter during which Catholics “prepare” for the resurrection of Jesus and grow a closer relationship to God. You’ve probably heard of Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, which is the day before Ash Wednesday where Catholics celebrate one last big meal with opulent parties before a period of fasting and simplicity.
On Ash Wednesday, Lent begins. Catholics everywhere attend mass to acknowledge their sins and prepare for a wholesome Lenten season. During this mass, the priest marks the sign of the cross on parishioner’s foreheads. Historically, these ashes have represented our morality and repentance. Morality, because we will one day turn to ash, and repentance because historically people would put ashes on their foreheads to repent. These ashes are made from the remains of palms used during Palm Sunday to commemorate Jesus’ arrival to Jerusalem.
According to the Bible, at Jesus’ baptism the sky split open, the Spirit of God in the form of a dove, descended and landed on Jesus, and a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, My Beloved, with whom I am pleased.” Afterward, as told in Matthew 4:1-11, Jesus was sent into the wilderness by the Spirit. Where he fasted and prayed for 40 days. During his time there he was tempted by Satan and found clarity and strength to resist temptation. Afterwards, he was ready to begin his ministry.
For Jesus, these 40 days of loneliness, prayer, temptation, and fasting brought him closer to God and that is the goal for all Catholics during the time of Lent. We fast, just as Jesus did. We pray, as Jesus did. We do all these strange little things that collectively bring us closer to our faith.
Easter Sunday is usually considered the greatest Christian feast. Lent has ended and the joy begins, the day of Christ’s resurrection, the principle Christian feast of the entire year. This is the celebration of Christ’s victory over sin and death. It is the goal of all Catholics that on this Easter Sunday our hearts will be fully prepared for a renewed relationship with God and the church.
Emma Hildebrand
Features Editor