Lent and The Rituals of our Lives

Lent this year began on March 1, Ash Wednesday. The forty-day period of fasting, penitence, and self-denial is traditionally observed by Christians to commemorate the number of days that Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness. It is, more importantly, also a preparation for Easter, the feast of Christ's resurrection.

The date of Lent varies each year according to the date of Easter, which has to fall after a full moon on or around March 21. Among Roman Catholics, Ash Wednesday ushers in the days of Lent, six and a half weeks, to the feast of Easter. Thus, the Lenten observance may begin as early as February 4 or as late as March 10. It ends on Holy Saturday, the last day of Holy Week, which immediately precedes Easter Sunday.

Fasting practices vary widely among Christian religions and between individuals. Originally, meat, fish, milk, cheese, and eggs were completely forbidden during Lent. Today, however, fasting may be done by abstaining only from meat, and either eating only one full meal each day or fasting entirely one day each week.

In recent years, the Roman Catholic Church has relaxed its laws on fasting. In an apostolic decree issued by Pope Paul VI in February 1966, fasting during Lent is obligatory only on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. On these days Catholics between the ages of 18 and 59 may eat only one full meal. Catholics age 14 or older are required to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays of Lent.

Among many Christians today, Lent is a time for doing penance by praying, meditating upon the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, refraining from sin, and giving time or money to charities. Many abstain from worldly pleasures during Lent. Even such simple frills as television, a favorite food, coffee, alcohol, or dining out are avoid.

Orthodox Christians observe several Lenten seasons in a year. In the Eastern Orthodox Church, the holy observance before Easter is generally called Great Lent. It is the most important of all. Abstention from meat begins one week before this period. Great Lent officially begins on Clean Monday, the Monday of the seventh week before Easter. Thus, Great Lent may begin as early as February 15 and as late as March 21.

On the first day of Great Lent, Orthodox Christians begin a stricter fasting that excludes meat and dairy products, eggs, fish, wine, and oil. But on Saturdays and Sundays within the period, rigid fasting rules are relaxed somehow. Great Lent ends after 40 days on the eve of Lazarus Saturday, the second Saturday before Easter. However, fasting continues through Holy Week until Easter Sunday.

Practically all major religions have their own seasons comparable to the Christian Lent. For instance, the Jews have their Yom Kippur and the Muslims their Ramadan.

The Lenten season offers many practical benefits, when observed properly. The low intake of food during fasting slows down bodily processes and physical activity, thus giving the body a healthful respite from the rigors of living. And with the body more rested, the mind is capable of more profound reflection.

Lent is also a time not only for personal atonement-but for personal examination as well. For pondering one's religious positions, for deducing meaning of one's current life situations, and for possible redirection of one's life quests.