Today is Ash Wednesday, and it marks the beginning of the 40 days of Lent leading to Resurrection Sunday. Traditionally, Lent is a time for Christians to enter a period of self-reflection, prayer, and preparation in anticipation of the celebrations of Easter. The duration of the season, 40 days, carries a symbolism with many roots, including the flood and 40 years of wilderness wanderings. The inspiration for this time, however, is most likely taken from Jesus' 40 days in the wilderness where he, like Moses and Elijah before him, sojourned in preparation for his ministry.
A common practice throughout the Bible, fasting was believed to be a humbling act of commitment or repentance that was intensified when combined with prayer, In contemporary Protestant religious practice, during Lent many persons practice some king of fasting, referring to it as "giving up" something for the duration. However, as the video suggests, there are many misconceptions around the notion of fasting. The biggest misunderstanding about fasting is that many seem to do it boastfully, in an effort to gain some morsel of favor with God. The reality is, that there is nothing we can do that can cause God to love us anymore, and there is nothing we can do that will cause God to love us any less that God already does!
The season of Lent begins with ashes, as we recall our mortality and fragility before God, but this does not mean it is a season devoid of joy. Whatever we choose as a Lenten discipline, let it be part of a freedom journey, not wallowing in gloom but practicing justice and joy in fellowship with God and one another. Let us make that journey together, exploring how we can turn the casual cultural concept of "giving up something for Lent" into a meaningful act of devotion.
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