Lent

In Western Christianity, Lent is the period before the Christian holy day of Easter. Eastern Christianity calls this period Great Lent, to distinguish it from the Winter Lent or Advent that precedes Christmas (though in Greek, the two periods are the "Great Fast" and the "Nativity Fast"). The rest of this article will discuss Lent as it is understood and practiced in Western Christianity, except when as noted.

Holy Days

There are several holy days within the season of Lent. Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. The central symbol of that day is the ash with which Catholics mark foreheads of the people. Ash is a traditional symbol of mourning, appearing throughout the Biblical writings and representing the dust from which God created humanity and the dust to which humanity is destined to return. The fourth Sunday within Lent is sometimes referred to as Laetare Sunday, particularly by Roman Catholics, and the Sunday following was originally known as Passion Sunday, though today the latter term is officially applied to the sixth and last Sunday of Lent, or Palm Sunday, the day that Jesus entered Jerusalem as the "King of the Jews". His entry was marked by celebrations among his followers and many of the residents of Jerusalem, though it represented a major threat to the religious leaders and to Rome. Yet, Jesus' method of entry was symbolic for the purpose of his coming. Entering not on a war horse, but on a donkey (a symbol of peace), he foreshadowed that he would not accomplish his mission through violence, but through sacrifice. Holy Thursday is the Thursday of the "Last Supper" shared by Jesus with his disciples, during which he gave a "Mandatum Novuum" or "New Commandment" (whence, 'Holy Thursday') that the disciples "love one another" as Jesus loved them. Good Friday is the day that Jesus was crucified. He died on this day and was buried.

Related Topics:
Laetare Sunday - Passion Sunday - Palm Sunday - Last Supper

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Palm Sunday also begins Holy Week, or the week of Jesus's suffering. The week (and the season of Lent) ends with Easter Sunday and the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus.

Related Topics:
Palm Sunday - Holy Week - Jesus - Easter Sunday

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~