Introduction to Lent, Year A
The Season of Lent is a six-week season in the Christian Calendar, beginning on Ash Wednesday and ending on Easter Sunday. Lent is a time of preparation for Easter as Christians practice repentance and reflection and take stock of their lives. For most Christians, Lent is a time of quiet, prayer, fasting, repentance, almsgiving and holy living. Based on Jesus’ example of fasting in the wilderness for 40 days, Christians often fast during the season of Lent. While few probably give up food altogether, many Christians will choose to abstain from one or two particular things during the season of Lent, such as indulging in chocolate and takeaways or abstaining from social media or TV. Another common practice during Lent is for Christians to take up a “good deed.” For example, they might make daily monetary donations, serve at a soup kitchen during Lent or commit daily time to prayer and bible study. The Season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday. Christians are marked with a cross of ash ...