Lent Christian Meaning

What is Lent? What is its importance in religion? Why do it?

Take a moment to learn more.

Specialist in the Christian religion, we present here the information necessary for the practice of Christian worship. Find in this article the importance of Lent in Christianity and how to express your devotion to God through Lent.

This period is a fraction of the liturgical year that is marked by a rapprochement with God through fasting and abstinence for forty days. This fast is practiced to pay homage to Christ's crossing of the desert and forty days of fasting. Lent, a central event in Christianity, is preceded by Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday and followed by Easter.

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Now let's get to the heart of the matter.

The Origin of Lent

The period of Lent in the liturgical year was built during the 4th century in Jerusalem, Constantinople, Rome and Alexandria. Lent has its origins linked to the preparations of the catechumens to be baptized on Easter Day and the moment of collective absolution in order to reconcile sinners.

Between the 5th and 6th centuries, the forty days began on the sixth Sunday before Easter and ended on Holy Thursday, considered a day of reconciliation between penitents. During the Middle Ages, the catechumenate began to suffer the shadow of infant baptism, and public penance was practiced less and less. This marked a turning point in the history of Lent, which essentially became a time of penance for all; confession was required, and it was a question of "doing one's Easter."

Originally, the period of Lent began on a Sunday, forty days before Holy Thursday, which is Easter Day. This period was shifted by Pope Gregory the Great to the preceding Wednesday, which is Ash Wednesday, and ends on Holy Saturday.

This period of fasting helps us to be more sensitive to God's victory over evil. Indeed, the Holy Spirit pushes Jesus to live in the desert for 40 days during which he will be tempted by the devil in a wild way of life. This journey tests his faith and his virtues with very difficult conditions. He succeeds where all the Hebrew people have failed.

We speak of forty days for the journey of Jesus Christ and therefore for Lent, because this number is a symbol of maturation in the Bible, a time of maturation that prepares to be worthy of God. The Hebrews spent forty years in the desert before entering the promised land. Moses and Elijah spent forty days on Sinai. Finally, Jesus is pushed to spend forty days in the desert so that his faith is put to the test. The word "Lent" means fortieth which comes from the contraction of the Latin "quadragesimal".

Why observe Lent?

Know that fasting allows us to better know what is within us, and what we truly aspire to. Lent is not just an act of penance, because it is a sign of solidarity with the poor and an invitation to share and give alms. We deprive ourselves of what satisfies us in order to combat the tyranny of the needs of the body.

Keep in mind that Lent is a joyful time! We prepare for Easter, because we celebrate the Resurrection of Christ from the dead, the victory of good over evil and life over death. Lent breaks the routine of liturgical life and prayer rites by emphasizing kindness, sharing and abstinence. Lent is celebrated in a simple and joyful atmosphere to open up to Christ the King.

The main reasons for fasting during Lent:

Pay more attention to the words of Jesus Christ so that the heart and mind are filled before the stomach.

It is also an opportunity to reflect on how lucky we are to be able to feed ourselves while others are not so lucky, and to take the time to thank heaven.

Think about those who are deprived of meals and organize the next form of sharing.

Think about what we lack as much as bread: how much do we care for those who are dear to us, do they know that they matter to us?

Nourish our hearts by listening to the Word of God.

Give more time to prayer to entrust to God what our heart really needs.

How to practice Lent

Lent is based on three principles: fasting, prayer and almsgiving.

Fasting

Fasting is similar to a purification, whether physical or mental. It is a purification of what is toxic to us on a daily basis. We can then fast from all unhealthy habits that are not necessarily related to food. This is the fast of addiction. For example, an internet fast, for some, would allow us to be more active and not suffer our own life. This practice is beneficial in its capacity to free us from what binds us, from our selfishness which is often very carnal, to open us up to something other than ourselves.

This consists of depriving oneself of certain things in order to prove to oneself that one is free from material goods and to honor God. This practice emphasizes our inner person as the Savior designed us. Our existence is not limited to what we consume. This is why we must free ourselves from temptation.

Fasting is supposed to begin on Ash Wednesday. It involves eating in the morning and evening. The spirit of fasting is also practiced every Wednesday and Friday of Lent for those who do not practice it during the 40 days. Fatty foods are avoided. Every effort begins with an offering to God and the free time should not be replaced by other activities, but is a time conducive to prayer. Sacrifices may be offered in a more targeted manner, such as for the deceased, the sick, the young, people in difficulty, etc.

Sharing or almsgiving

Fasting makes us feel freer. It is therefore time to get closer to our brothers and sisters. Chaplaincy is done first and foremost in the family, at the table during meals, without television or telephones, first in dialogue and listening to the other, whether older or smaller. Sharing begins with attention to the other. Waste is the first enemy of charity. We must therefore ensure that we do not throw away what could have been consumed.

This will open your heart to your loved ones and to the Son of God and will allow you to fully enjoy the Easter season.

Prayer

Prayer fills us and fills us with the divine presence. In the same way as for fasting and sharing, we will follow the Gospel according to Saint Matthew (Mt 6, 1-18) which commits us to living fasting, sharing and prayer "in secret", it is a question of following this commitment interiorly and not in an external and ostentatious way. It is not just a question of going to mass more often. What counts is the interior attitude and not the formal respect of a rite by obedience or custom.

10 practices to do during Lent

Practice Lent with the prayers on our blog

You now understand the importance and the stakes of Lent in Christianity. Now this liturgical time has no more secrets for you and will allow you to nourish your Christian faith and get closer to redemption.

Learn more about other events of the liturgical year through our blog, it's worth a visit.

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