THE LENTEN SEASON
Ash Wednesday - March 5th
Lamentations 2:10Ash Wednesday - Turning Toward God
Ash Wednesday is the 1st day of the Lenten Season. The tradition dates back to the 11th century. Yet, the tradition of receiving ashes has even earlier roots — to the ancient Hebrew custom of clothing oneself in sackcloth and dusting oneself with ashes as a sign of repentance, fasting, and awaiting Christ’s resurrection.
Palm Sunday - April 15th
John 12:12 - 19Palm Sunday: Christ Enters Jerusalem
In ancient times, palm branches symbolized goodness and victory. They were often depicted on coins and important buildings. Solomon had palm branches carved into the walls and doors of the temple. Again at the end of the Bible, people from every nation raise palm branches to honor Jesus as he enters Jerusalem. He was greeted by cheering crowds waving palm branches that they set out on the ground along his path. John 12: 12 – 19.
Maundy Thursday - April 17th
John 13: 34-35Maundy Thursday: A New Commandment
Maundy Thursday is celebrated on the Thursday of Holy Week, the day before Good Friday. In this observance, we commemorate the Last Supper, where Jesus had His final meal with His disciples before being crucified. In prayer, we remember Jesus washing His disciples’ feet as an act of humility, service, some wash their brothers and sisters feet in worship. Jesus new commandment, to love one another marks the start of the Easter weekend.
Good Friday - April 18th
I Corinthians 15:3Good Friday: Christ at Calvary
Good Friday is an important day of the year because it celebrates what we believe to be the most momentous weekend in the history of the world. Ever since Jesus died and was raised, Christians have proclaimed the cross of Jesus to be the point of redemption for all creation. Paul considered it “of first importance” that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and was raised to life on the third day, following what God had promised in the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3).
Lent: A Season of Devotion
Lent is a 40-day season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends at sundown on Holy Thursday. It’s a period of preparation to celebrate the Lord’s Resurrection at Easter. During Lent, we seek the Lord in prayer by reading Sacred Scripture; we serve by giving alms, our time and talents to the service of others; and we practice self-control through fasting. We are called not only to abstain from luxuries during Lent, but to seek a true inner conversion of heart as we strive to follow Christ more faithfully. We recall the waters of baptism in which we were also baptized into Christ’s death, died to sin and evil, and began new life in Christ.
Many know of the tradition of abstaining from meat on Fridays during Lent, but we are also called to practice self-discipline and fasting in other ways throughout the season. We’re encouraged to contemplate the meaning and origins of the Lenten fasting tradition in this reflection. In addition, the giving of alms is one way to share God’s gifts—not only through the distribution of money, but through the sharing of our time and talents.
Later in Holy Week, as Lent draws to an end, some Christians mark significant days in the Christian year: It begins with Palm Sunday which marks the day Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. It was a day of triumph when crowds of followers and supporters waved palm branches and laid them on the ground in front of him. In many churches, Holy Wednesday, when one of Jesus’s followers, Judas, agreed to betray him; Maundy Thursday, when Jesus ate his last meal with his followers and was then arrested; and Good Friday, when Jesus was put on trial and executed. Lent ends with Easter Sunday – the day Christians celebrate Jesus rising from the dead.
