By Angel Fuller
Staff Writer
Lent is a 40-day season. There are three traditional pillars of Lent. They are prayer, fasting, and almsgivings. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. Ashes are a symbol of repentance. According to the Catholic Church, Lent is about Baptism. Ashes are also a reminder of our mortality and thus our judgment day. Ashes are most commonly linked to death and the resurrection. By receiving ashes on the first day of Lent we are allowing our sins to be forgiven and preparing ourselves ultimately for judgment day.
So, then why do we give up things for Lent? For many, it’s giving up things such as candy, soda, and junk food with the reward of being able to eat it again at Easter. But why? Fasting means to abstain from all food or drink; which makes sense that we fast for Lent. Fasting has always been the most ancient practices for Lent. Fasting originally started as two days before the celebration of Easter and was later extended for the 40-days that we have today. Fasting is a way to develop self control.
Lent is about conversion and turning your life over to Christ. This involves giving up sin in some form. The goal and reason for Lent is to not necessarily to abstain from sin for Lent but to root sin out of our lives forever.