Lent

[RoadRaven]

So, I know almost nothing about Lent... how long does it last for Velobambina?

And you have to choose to give up something, right? Hence no buying clothes?

Is that because Jesus "gave up" his life? Or another reason?

[indysteel]

So, I know almost nothing about Lent... how long does it last for Velobambina?

And you have to choose to give up something, right? Hence no buying clothes?

Is that because Jesus "gave up" his life? Or another reason?

In Western Christianity, Lent "runs" from Ash Wednesday to Holy Thursday (the day before Good Friday), but does not include the intervening Sundays. Other churches, however, calculate it differently. The 40 days of Lent symbolize the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert resisting Satan's temptation, which is why Christians often fast, repent, and/or deprive themselves of something during that period.

I'm a lapsed Catholic of sorts, but I'm trying to cut down on TV during Lent. Only news, weather and PBS. It's sort of a test run to see if I could live with just basic cable.

And feel free to correct me on any of this. It's been a long time since I studied my Catechism.

[boy in a kilt]

In Western Christianity, Lent "runs" from Ash Wednesday to Holy Thursday (the day before Good Friday), but does not include the intervening Sundays. Other churches, however, calculate it differently. The 40 days of Lent symbolize the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert resisting Satan's temptation, which is why Christians often fast, repent, and/or deprive themselves of something during that period.

I'm a lapsed Catholic of sorts, but I'm trying to cut down on TV during Lent. Only news, weather and PBS. It's sort of a test run to see if I could live with just basic cable.

And feel free to correct me on any of this. It's been a long time since I studied my Catechism.

That was pretty much how I was, uh, taught when I attended Catholic school.

I've passed the "lapsed" catholic point and am now settling into apostasy.

When I die, I expect to hear Sisters Mary, Elvira and Sincladica, formerly of Saint Mary's Catholic Church in Kalamazoo, Michigan, telling God "We have unfinished business with this one, we'll take care of it. "

[F8th637]

I decided to give up soda for lent which I have done in the past. This year I think it will be tough because I do have like one diet one a day (usually during lunch.) I figure it's good. I had also thought about giving up shopping in order to save for a new bike but I figure I can do that without really giving up too much.

[Geonz]

I'm a very post-vatican II Catholic (in my Catholic school we had purple mimeograph paper with the words to "tin soldiers and nixon coming, we're finally on our own... this summer I hear the drumming... four dead in Ohio" ).

Here's a link I put on my blog : Bicycling as a Lenten Practice (it's gotten neat comments from people who assume(d) Christian meant Christian Right).

I'm going to try to get to work early enough to be changed into professional attire more often, and give up Pop Tarts.

Jesus spent forty days in the desert praying adn fasting and basically focusing on God. Catholics emulate that in Lent. Of course, we impose our personalities and psychologies upon the tradition.. It's sorta like training for the "big wazoobidoo" of Easter. We don't say the A word (alleluia) in the liturgy until Holy Thursday, or sing the Gloria. Feels so good when we get it back!

[sbctwin]

We don't say the A word (alleluia) in the liturgy until Holy Thursday, or sing the Gloria. Feels so good when we get it back!

I agree. I love the Gloria and feel the mass so much more personally involved. There was a period where our 'cantor' (yea, right) sang it and we just got to sing a responsorial. I felt like 'my participation' in the mass was lacking.

DH and I are going to try and modify our eating habits (give up deserts). We are undecided as to whether to give up our wine with our Friday fish, but that will probably go.

I am trying to think more positively. When negative thoughts come along, I have to refocus my energy towards something positive.

At the Ash Wed service, the homily was about leaving stuff at the 'river bank' and proceed forward. I want to get a copy of the homily if I can and reread it regulary through lent. I also want to say 'The Our Father' twice a day to really get the day going in a positive way.

I will try, at least

[carpaltunnel]

ELCA Lutheran here...Last night at Ash Wednesday services our pastor encouraged us to move beyond the things we wanted to do for ourselves anyway, like giving up sweets, to good deeds, alms giving, acts of kindness, and self examination.

[withm]

We don't say the A word (alleluia) in the liturgy until Holy Thursday, or sing the Gloria. Feels so good when we get it back!

Sheesh 12 years of Catholic girls school and why don't I know that? Well it WAS a lllloooonnnnggg time ago I guess.....

[7rider]

Sheesh 12 years of Catholic girls school and why don't I know that? Well it WAS a lllloooonnnnggg time ago I guess.....

13 years co-ed here (counting kindergarten).
Still...no clue about the lack of "A" until Holy Thursday.
Don't recall hearing or not hearing it....don't recall ever being told it...not quite motivated to go and test it this weekend.

[RoadRaven]

Ah... of course... 40 days before Easter.
Doh! I knew this!!!

Thank you for your explainations...

I kind've forget about Easter being at this time of the year. About the only time I do remember is in the supermarket with the plethore of rabbits and eggs!

Ostara is in Spring time, and Spring down here is actually (approximately) when you in the North observe Samhain/Halloween!

So while we do "do" Easter at this time of the year - particulalrly the retailers and marketers - I don't really think about it.

Its interesting how "the church" interpreted this time for its followers. I know Jesus gave up much for his meditations in the desert... and yet that is not what I think of when I think of his time there. I don't think - he gave up, so I should go without something too...
I think, he spent all this time in focused and purposeful thought - how could I do that more in my life?
(this is what CarpalTunnel's pastor seems to be suggesting - now that's spiritual pastor - as opposed to being "just" religious. Keep him on CT)