Lent: Time to Pray, Fast, and Share Our Goods

(Plain Text Version)

As Christians, we celebrate all of the great events of God’s love for us.  We have just finished the celebration of God becoming man during the Christmas season. 
Our Lord Jesus became man so that He could suffer and die for us.  Good Friday (April 2) is dedicated to the memory of these sufferings.  On Easter Sunday (April 4), we rejoice that Jesus overcame death by rising from the dead.
We prepare for Easter with 40 days of penance (small punishments to express our sorrow for our sins).  This 40-day  period is called Lent.  Jesus prepared for His public ministry by fasting in the desert for forty days.  Although we aren’t expected to go to this extreme, we can imitate Christ in different ways. 

For Catholics, some penances are required.  These are: 
Fasting on Ash Wednesday (February 17) and Good Friday by all Catholics from age 18 to 59.  This type of fasting means eating only enough to keep up with work or studies.  One full meal may be taken, along with two smaller ones.  No solid foods between meals are allowed. 
Abstinence from meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all the Fridays of Lent by Catholics 14 years old and over.

For everyone, other penances are highly recommended.  They fall into three general categories: fasting, prayer, and sharing of our goods with those in need.  The individual can choose the best ways of doing these things.  The goal is to grow in our love for God and to get free from sin. 
It is helpful to decide what we will do during Lent, and write ourselves a reminder to look at.
Lent began on  Ash Wednesday, when ashes were applied to the forehead by a priest or deacon.  It lasts until Easter Sunday. 
The goal behind all of this is to unite ourselves to the suffering Christ, so that we can enter into the joy of His life in Heaven!