The history of Lent
the origins of Lent, its symbolic meaning of 40 days, and the various traditions associated with this period of fasting and self-reflection in preparation for Easter. Dive into the reasons behind fasting, the teachings of the Church, and the spiritual significance of repentance and renewal during Lent.
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Presentation Transcript
Why the name of Lent? In most languages the name given to this time expresses the number of the days, Forty, Cuaresma from forty, Cuarenta. But our word Lent signifies the Spring-Fast; for Lenten-Tide, lengthening of days, or springtime.
Why 40 days? The rain of the Great Flood the Great Deluge lasted 40 days and nights. Moses fasted for 40 days and nights to prepare himself to receive the Law. Moses was atop Mount Sinai for 40 days and nights receiving the Law. The Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years after fleeing the Egyptians. The Manna rained down on the Israelites for 40 years. The Prophet Elijah walked 40 days and nights to reach the Mountain of God, Horeb.. Our Lord Himself fasted forty days and forty nights in the desert. Jesus Ascended into Heaven 40 days after His glorious Resurrection from the dead.
So, what 40 means? Repentance, Newness, Preparation Self-examination Transformation Escape from bondage or slavery (such as to sin), Nourishment and growth (applied to the spiritual life), Personal fulfillment, new generation and new life.
What should we do? Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your Disciples do not fast? And Jesus said to them: Can the children of the bridegroom mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then they shall fast (Mt. 9:14-15). While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting (Acts 13:2)
What does the Church teaches. The Apostles legislated, for our weakness, by instituting, at the very beginning of the Christian Church, that the Solemnity of Easter should be preceded by a universal Fast. And it was natural, that they should have made this period of Penance to consist of Forty Days. St. Jerome, St. Leo the Great, St. Cyril of Alexandria, St. Isidore of Seville, and other the holy Fathers, assure us that Lent was instituted by the Apostles.
Is it just not to eat? Lent, then, is a time consecrated, in an especial manner, to penance; and this penance is practiced by Fasting, or other similar fasts , or abstinences. Fasting is an abstinence, which man voluntarily imposes upon himself, as an expiation for sin. We must use the giving up of something we like, in order to show our love for God, to do something to pay what we owe Him, to manifest to Our Lord (not to others ) that we love him and we are sorry for having offended him.
