Wednesday, February 14, 2018 – Friends, Romans, Kneelers Lent Me Your Ears.
Today is Ash Wednesday marking the first day of the season of Lent. What does it mean? I am so glad you ashed.
Lent (Latin: Quadragesima: Fortieth) is a solemn religious observance in the Christian liturgical calendar that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends approximately six weeks later, before Easter Sunday. The purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer for Easter through prayer, doing penance, mortifying the flesh, repentance of sins, almsgiving, and self-denial. This event is observed in the Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Lutheran, Methodist, and Catholic Churches.
Some Anabaptist and evangelical churches also observe the Lenten season. Its institutional purpose is heightened in the annual commemoration of Holy Week, marking the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, which recalls the tradition and events of the New Testament beginning on Palm Sunday, further climaxing on Jesus’ crucifixion on Good Friday, which ultimately culminates in the joyful celebration on Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Many mark this day by receiving ashes in the form of the cross on their forehead from a priest or minister. Believers make a commitment to sacrifice and avoid the “lead us not into temptation” thing. Some give up something such as smoking, drinking, gum, or candy. Others, like me, try to do something positive to make a difference.
In fact, Here’s What I’m Thinking was started as a Lenten commitment about five years ago. The purpose was to make someone laugh and/or think on a daily basis.
During Lent, I do not eat meat on Fridays. This is much harder than you think. Think Bubba Gump shrimp each and every Friday. I usually blow it toward the end of the season when a cheeseburger inadvertently goes into my mouth. WE shall see this year.
Today is also St. Valentine’s Day.
Here’s wishing you, peace, love and Sam Cooke.
Here's What I'm Thinking 