Lent

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Lent

• A Time for Fast and Feast

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What is Lent?

• Lent is a time to prepare for the greatest
  celebration of the Church year Easter.
• Lent is a time of purification and enlightenment
  a time when we are called to respond to God with
  greater reflection and commitment.

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Why is Lent 40 Days Long?

• The 40 days symbolize the 40 days that Jesus
  spent in the desert after his baptism in the
  River Jordan.
• During this time, Jesus was led by the Holy
  Spirit, and tempted by the devil.
• Jesus never gave in to the devils evil
  temptations!

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Lenten Symbols

• Ashes a reminder of the passage of time, and our
  constant need to turn away from sin.
• Color purple is a sign of reflection and
  conversation with God.
• Palms On the Sunday before Easter, we hold palms
  in imitation of the people of Jerusalem who
  honored Jesus by throwing palms in his path as he
  rode into the city.

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Three Pillars of Lenten Observance

• Fasting
• This is a means of developing self-control
• The pangs of hunger remind us of our hunger for
  God.
• It helps us realize the suffering of others in
  our world, and should lead us to greater efforts
  to reduce suffering

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• Prayer
• More time in prayer should draw us closer to God.
  
• Almsgiving
• This is a sign of our care for those in need.
• It is an expression of our thanks for all that
  God has given us.

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Special Days During Lent and Easter

• Shrove Tuesday also known as Pancake Day. It is
  the day before Ash Wednesday and is a day to
  fatten up before the sacrifice and fasting of
  Lent begins.
• Ash Wednesday the first day of Lent. We receive
  ashes from last years palms, which remind us to
  turn away from sin.

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• Palm Sunday the Sunday before Easter. Jesus rode
  a donkey into Jerusalem we receive palms at
  mass.
• Triduum the period of 3 days leading to and
  including Jesus death and resurrection. It
  begins on Holy Thursday and ends on Easter Sunday.

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• Holy Thursday the Last Supper and our
  celebration of Jesus gift to us of the
  Eucharist.
• Good Friday the day Jesus died on the cross.
• Holy Saturday the night before Easter Sunday.
  This is when Easter Vigil takes place.
• Easter Sunday the day Jesus rose from the dead!
  We celebrate new life.

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Fast from judging others

• Feast on Christ dwelling within them.

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Fast from apparent darkness

• Feast on the reality of light.

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Fast from pessimism

• Feast on optimism.

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Fast from thoughts of illness

• Feast on the healing power of God.

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Fast from words that pollute

• Feast on phrases that purify.

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Fast from anger

• Feast on patience.

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Fast form worry

• Feast on divine providence.

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Fast from unrelenting pressure

• Feast on unceasing prayer.

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Fast from negatives

• Feast on positives.

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Fast from complaining

• Feast on appreciation.

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Fast from hostility

• Feast on non-resistance.

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Fast from bitterness

• Feast on forgiveness.

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Fast from anxiety

• Feast on hope.

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Fast from yourself

• Feast on a silent heart.

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Short Videos on Lent

• http//www.youtube.com/watch?vzAuB-3V46zk
• http//www.youtube.com/watch?vm3L3c23MfC0