Dear Father Paul: My denomination does not observe Lent. They say it is not in the Bible. But many of my friend’s churches do observe Lent, and they seem to benefit spiritually from it a lot. So what is Lent really all about, and why should I participate? — Cindy.
Dear Cindy: Your denomination is right, the word Lent is not in the Bible. But that does not mean that the observance of Lent is not a good, worthwhile and, yes, even godly thing to do. Altar calls, pot-luck suppers and revivals are not in the Bible either, but these are all observed by millions of Christians all over the world, much to their benefit. For that matter, the word “Trinity” is not found anywhere in the Bible per se either, but the concept and doctrine of the Holy Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) is a central core of the Christian faith.
Again, lots of things the church does today are not in the Bible per se. That absolutely does not mean that they shouldn’t be done. Sunday schools, indoor baptisms, Christian T.V., and “praise bands” are also not in the Bible but come to mind.
The word “Lent” comes from the Old English word “Lencten” which meant “Spring.” The observance of Lent began in the early Middle Ages when church leaders determined that Christians needed a 40-day season each year to renew living a more Christ like life by focusing intently on repentance, faith, simple living, prayer, doing good deeds, study of the scriptures, fasting and drawing nearer to God. The idea caught on and soon Lent became an important annual observance throughout the early church.
The Biblical basis for the church’s concept of Lent and its observance is in the example set by Jesus himself in Matthew 4:1-11 when, immediately after his baptism, Jesus went into the desert to pray and fast for 40 days. During this time he drew closer to his Father, resisted Satan and was strengthened by angels.
Just like the experience of Jesus in Matthew 4, the modern Lent lasts for 40 days, (excluding Sundays). Basically, Lent is about one-tenth of a year amounting to a tithe of our year. In 2015, Lent begins today, Ash Wednesday, Feb. 18, and ends on Easter, April 5. Lent excludes Sundays because every Sunday is supposed to be like a little Easter.
I once had a problem with Lent. “Why do I need to observe Lent? I’m not Catholic.” I asked myself. A very wise layman friend in a church that observed Lent later told me when we talked about it, “You grew up as a Baptist, right? Why don’t you just think of Lent as an annual ‘Revival’ like the Baptists have … a ‘Revival’ that lasts for 40 days?”
That was all I needed to hear. I’ve been observing Lent every year since then and Lent has become for me, the annual “Revival” I need.
I mentioned Ash Wednesday,” which is observed today. On Ash Wednesday the faithful gather in churches all over the world to a “call,” by their priest or pastor, to begin the observance of a Holy Lent. This is a short service where Christians repent and recognize their mortality through the imposition of ashes (dust) on their foreheads in the sign of the cross. This solemn observance reminds us of what God himself said to Adam and Eve in Genesis 3:19 (NIV) “For dust you are, and to dust you will return.”
During the Ash Wednesday service also, or on the first Sunday during Lent, believers often pledge to perform sacrificial services for God during the upcoming Lent. These services or deeds are modeled after the life of Christ and the deeds that he did while on the earth. Included, of course, are prayer and fasting. However, most of all, Lent is a time for us to repent and grow closer to God and go deeper in our relationship with him.
For all Christians who are searching for “something more” … ”something deeper” … ”something fuller” … I encourage you to consider participating in Lent 2015. Start by getting alone with God and repenting of your sins against him. Ask Jesus to cover you with his mercy and grace and ask the Holy Spirit to empower you anew and afresh to live a life close to God and a life that pleases God. Then seal all of this by pledging to do something special in God’s Kingdom during the next 40 days. He’ll show you what. May God bless you this Lent.
Got a question? Email your question to me at paulmassey@earthlink.net.
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[Father Paul Massey is Pastor Emeritus at Fayetteville’s Church of the Holy Cross. Visit www.holycrosschurch.wordpress.com for information on the church and Sunday messages.]
