What is Lent? What is the character of this season of the church year, and why is it of great importance for us? Where does the term “Lent” come from? Let me start with the last question: The season is called Lent, because that is the Old English word for spring, the season of the year during which it falls. This is something unique to English. In almost all other languages its name is a derivative of the Latin term Quadragesima, or “the forty days.” Another exception is the German language in which this time is called “Fastenzeit” – the time of fasting.

Lent is the forty day period before Easter, excluding Sundays, and beginning on Ash Wednesday. On Ash Wednesday, we mark our foreheads with ashes as a reminder that our physical bodies “are dust, and to dust [we] shall return.” (Genesis 3:19) Lent prepares us for Easter, as Advent prepares us for Christmas. Lent prepares us for the resurrection of our Lord, in which we will one day follow Him. As said earlier, Sundays are excluded from the reckoning of the forty days, because Sunday is the day on which Christ arose, making it an inappropriate day to fast and mourn our sins. On Sunday we must celebrate Christ’s resurrection for our salvation.

Why is Lent forty days long? Because forty days is a traditional number of discipline, devotion, and preparation in the Bible. Thus Moses stayed on the Mountain of God forty days (Exodus 24:18 and 34:28), the spies were in the land for forty days (Numbers 13:25), Elijah traveled forty days before he reached the cave where he had his vision (1 Kings 19:8), Nineveh was given forty days to repent (Jonah 3:4), and most importantly, prior to undertaking His ministry, Jesus spent forty days in wilderness praying and fasting (Matthew 4:2). Since Lent is a period of prayer and fasting, it is fitting for Christians to imitate their Lord with a forty day period. Christ used a forty day period of prayer and fasting to prepare for his ministry, which culminated in his death and resurrection, and thus it is fitting for Christians to imitate him with a forty day period of prayer and fasting to prepare for the celebration of his ministry’s climax, Good Friday (the day of the crucifixion) and Easter Sunday (the day of the resurrection).

So, how should we observe the time of Lent? Traditionally, Lent is not only a season of intense prayer and fasting, but also a time of special concern for those in need. Some Christians abstain from a variety of food during this time, some abstain only from meat, others abstain from something they very much enjoy, like TV, going dancing, or eating ice cream. The point is: make a sacrifice, for a limited time, that really hurts – for Christ’s sake. Fasting always has been viewed as a special way of our communication with God, as something that heightens our sensitivity to God’s presence. Offer this self-inflicted burden up to God in prayer, and ask Him to use it for the sake of His kingdom. And make it a point during this time, to especially look out for those who are less fortunate than you. A good way could be to take the money that you would have spent on ice cream, chocolate, or cigarettes, and give it to someone who is in need. You can also do that anonymously. If you do not know anyone to give it to, give it to the “pastor’s discretionary fund,” to be prayerfully distributed by the pastor. Especially in Lent, let us keep in mind that we are blessed to be a blessing.

Yours in His service,
Vicar Jens