Three months ago I wrote about the great Feast of Christmas and the preparations that were made prior to this day, and it was “Advent Season”. Again I write about another great day in the Catholic calendar. Its EASTER or RESURRECTION of CHRIST or Risen Lord, where we proclaim that Jesus rose from the dead on the third day. The time allotted to us is forty days, and these forty days are called Lenten Period or season of Lent. A time to reconcile and return to the Lord. The Lent begins on a day called ASH WEDNESDAY. On this day the priest makes a sign of Cross on our foreheads with Ash and pronounces these words ‘From dust you come and you shall be dust’. Frightening? No it’s a reminder and also to analyse our lives and be prepared for the day when we will leave the earth.
Beginning today we will be encouraged to take up the traditional practice of fasting, praying and alms giving. The good news of Lent is God sees you, He knows you, He is committed to you and He loves you.
Beginning Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent a period of self-restraint, it marks the first day of fasting, repentance, prayer and self-control. Rich foods such as Meats, dairy products are often avoided. Avoid seeing movies and other entertainments that would have brought you joy and happiness.
During the Church service the priest applies Ashes burned at the previous year’s Palm Sunday mixed with Holy water and Olive oil. The cross on the worshipper’s forehead is a sign of repentance to signify the Biblical passage of Genesis 3:19. For Dust you are and to dust you shall return.
Lent in the Christians tradition is a period of six weeks, prior to Easter. A time set apart wherein we are supposed to be quiet, thoughtful, praying a lot, giving money to charities, give up some of the things, they might otherwise do for pleasure. The period of Lent ends at Easter, which is a time of great celebration. When we contemplate How Jesus died on the Cross but rose again from the dead. The Victory over the Cross.
Lent is supposed to be of 40 days. Because the Bible says that Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness preparing for his death and resurrection. This period of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends at the ninth hour of Maundy Thursday.
During this period we are supposed to fast and abstain from meat and meat products specially on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and all Fridays of Lent. Those who are exempted are elderly, above 60 years of age, medically unfit, pregnant women, and others who are advised by medical practitioners.
During this period we have other important dates to remember, namely PALM SUNDAY, MAUNDY THURSDAY, GOOD FRIDAY, HOLY SATURDAY AND EASTER.
PALM SUNDAY: A Sunday prior to Easter commemorates Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem on a Donkey. An event mentioned in each of the canonical Gospels. The symbolic entry of Jesus on a Donkey represents that DONKEY as an animal of Peace, while horse as an animal of WAR. So they chose a donkey to represent his entry into Jerusalem as a Prince of Peace.
MAUNDY THURSDAY: On this day Jesus washes the feet of his Disciples and has the last supper with them. The institution of the “HOLY EUCHARIST”.
GOOD FRIDAY: A day commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus and His death on Mount Calvary. It is also a part of the Paschal Triduum.
HOLY SATURDAY: A Saturday in the Holy Week also known as great Saturday, Joyous Saturday or EASTER EVE or the Saturday of Light to signify the day Jesus’ body lay in the tomb and Harrowing of hell.
EASTER SUNDAY OR EASTER: To celebrate the resurrection of Jesus form the dead, as described in the New Testament. As having occurred on the third day of his burial after the crucifixion by the Romans at Calvary in 30AD.
This year also we will prepare ourselves well and seek God’s blessings that we may be able to do the will of GOD and have a blessed Lenten Season and a JOYFUL EASTER.
Rosarito Coelho