Lent: the commemoration and resurrection

 Lenten Season

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time -1 Peter 5:6-

As March approaches, people are getting ready for the Lenten season. Lent is a period of penitential preparation for Easter in the Christian church. Here in the Philippines, we call Easter "Kwaresma," and it is a time when Filipino Catholics reflect on Jesus' suffering and resurrection. Various churches have distinct plans for prayers, devotions, and other religious acts to recall Jesus Christ's life during Holy Week.

The Lenten season is intended to be a time of repentance in which we confess our sins and pledge our devotion to the holy and powerful God. This isn’t a feeling of shame but an awareness that sin separates us from God and of what it cost Him to be reunited with us. This is also a 40-day "Great Lent," with Saturdays and Sundays designated as relaxed fast days. On Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, we go to church to worship God and receive the imposition of ashes on our foreheads. This commemorates human mortality and the need for reconciliation with God, as well as the start of the penitential Lenten season.

Good Friday is also lent season where we commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus and his death at Calvary. During world war ll, only Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are now kept as Lenten fast days. And in the early centuries, fasting rules were strict, as they still are in Eastern churches. One meal a day was allowed in the evening, and meat, fish, eggs, and butter were forbidden. Nowadays, most individuals only avoided meat for fasting. Furthermore, during Lent, many Catholics and other Christians opt to abstain from certain pleasures such as sweets, wine, or social media to cultivate simplicity and self-control; many utilize their cravings or urges for these goods as a reminder to pray and focused on spiritual concerns.

As we grief during the lent season, let’s not forget and consider the health protocols and restrictions for us to prevent the escalation of people being affected. Let’s also observe, confess our sins and commemorate the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the son of God, our Savior and Redeemer.

References:

Rubio, P. (2022). Ash Wednesday ushers in Lenten season in the Philippines amid a pandemic. Retrieved March 3, 2022. https://ph.news.yahoo.com/ash-wednesday-ushers-in-lenten-season-in-philippines-amid-pandemic-065000414.html

Encyclopedia Britannica. Lent. Retrieved March 3, 2022. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Lent

Christianity. What Is Lent's Meaning and Purpose?. Retrieved March 3, 2022. https://www.christianity.com/wiki/holidays/what-is-the-purpose-of-lent.html

Wikipedia. Good Friday. Retrieved March 3, 2022. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_Friday

Hallow. Lent 2022: The Complete Guide to the Catholic Season of Lent. Retrieved March 3, 2022. https://s3.amazonaws.com/hallow.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/14154908/Pray40-Illo_22.png

Good Housekeeping. When Is Lent 2022? - When Does Lent Start and End This Year? Retrieved March 3, 2022. https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/images/good-friday-lent-season-and-holy-week-concept-royalty-free-image-1583865483.jpg?

Joy Digital. https://www.joydigitalmag.com/everyday-life/7-must-read-bible-verses-for-lent/