The word “Lent” comes from an old English word meaning in the season of spring. The Church’s Lent always occurs in the spring, of course, but since its beginning, Ash Wednesday, is determined by the date of Easter, and Easter is a moveable observance reckoned by lunar calculation and can occur as early as March 22nd or as late as April 25th, Lent itself begins at variable dates in the spring. The Lenten season actually extends over a period of 46 days, but the Sundays occurring during the period are not part of Lent but are feast days.
The observance of Lent in the Christian Church is very ancient. It began in the second century, although it was much shorter in the beginning; it did not extend for forty days until the fourth century and was also not associated with the forty days of Jesus in the wilderness until some time later. It has always, however, had a penitential character as a time of preparation for the Crucifixion and the joy of the Resurrection. During this period, Anglicans fast, as a means of suppressing the flesh and exalting the spirit, as a means, too, of sharpening the spiritual awareness and mental contemplation of the approaching great sacrifice of Christ for mankind. It is a period of increased prayer and self-examination so that we may bring ourselves closer to God and become more obedient to His will for us. It is one of those several periods appointed by the Church (Advent is another) to help intensify our religious belief, to remind us how far we may have fallen away, and to recall us to God.
A good Lent leads to a good Easter and the satisfaction of a deepening spiritual awareness and dedication developed through Lent allows us to open ourselves fully to the glorious joy of the Resurrection.
Rules for Abstinence and Fasting:
A Christian Duty
“Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.” St. Matthew 6:16-18
+ Abstinence - No flesh meats on Fridays until the 9th hour, except if Christmas or Epiphany should fall on a Friday,
and any Friday between them.
Some also abstain on Wednesdays
during Advent and Lent, and Saturdays.
[types of food]
+ Fasting - A simple breakfast, a full mid-day meal, and a very limited late meal,
during the forty days of Lent.
[amounts of food]
+ Combined - Combining fasting with abstinence,
Ember Days and Fridays in Lent.
+ Excused - Those who cannot or should not choose their own food, because of situation, health, or development.
+ Devotional Fasts - Christmas Eve, Vigil of Pentecost,
Vigil of All Saints
(Easter eve is a Lenten day fast)
A SERIES OF
BRIEF CONSIDERATIONS
FOR THE
FORTY DAYS OF LENT
BY THE REV. VERNON STALEY
The Forty Days of Lent are set apart by the Church in memory of our Blessed Lord’s forty days’ fast and seclusion in the wilderness. From the three accounts given in the Gospels, it appears that whilst temptations assailed our Lord during the whole period of His retirement, the three special temptations named did not occur until the close of the forty days. St. Luke says that it was not until the forty days “were ended” that the devil drew nigh to put forth his strongest efforts. Thus, we may regard our Lord’s fast and retirement as a time of special preparation to meet temptation, and to this He was “led of the Spirit.”
If I am to keep a good Lent, and follow the example of Jesus Christ, I must make some definite rules as to Self-denial and Communion with God. So before… (I) awake on Ash Wednesday I will make my Lenten resolutions. I must not attempt too much, lest I fail. I must not attempt too little, lest I miss the promised blessing. But what I do shall be real, and such as I can offer to God and ask Him to bless. Upon my knees I will ask –
In what particular, and to what extent shall I deny myself? Sleep. Food or drink. Pleasure. Society. Reading novels. Spending money. Striving to overcome some fault.
In what particular, and to what degree shall I draw near to God? Penitence. Prayer. Intercession. Holy Communion. Bible reading. Devotional reading. Work for God’s glory, or the good of others. Efforts to gain some virtue.
Rising from my knees I will write down my resolutions.
The glory of these forty days
we celebrate with songs of praise;
for Christ, through whom all things were made,
himself has fasted and has prayed.
Alone and fasting Moses saw
the loving God who gave the law;
and to Elijah, fasting, came
the steeds and chariots of flame.
So Daniel trained his mystic sight,
delivered from the lions' might;
and John, the Bridegroom's friend, became
the herald of Messiah's name.
Then grant us, Lord, like them to be
full oft in fast and prayer with thee;
our spirits strengthen with thy grace,
and give us joy to see thy face.
O Father, Son, and Spirit blest,
to thee be every prayer addressed,
who art in three-fold Name adored,
from age to age, the only Lord.
In Christ's love,
Fr. Robert Pax
