“LENT: A Time to Renew”

                    In the Christian church, Lent is a month of penitential preparation for Easter. It begins on Ash Wednesday, six and a half weeks before Easter, and includes a 40-day fast in remembrance of Jesus Christ's fasting in the wilderness prior to his public ministry. Various churches have varied programs for prayers, devotions, and other religious acts to recall the life of Jesus Christ during Lent, which is also known as Kwaresma. Lent is supposed to be a season of repentance. That isn't a sense of guilt, but rather an understanding of how sin separates us from God and how much it cost him to reconcile us. This is frequently regarded as a time of preparation and a chance to grow closer to God. This means it's a period of personal meditation for people as they prepare their hearts and minds for Good Friday and Easter.

For Christian communities all across the world, the Lenten season has already begun. Lent is a significant religious observance in the Christian world because it commemorates the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God's Son, our Saviour, and Redeemer. It's a good moment to think about what it means to be a Christ-follower. It's also an occasion to repent for our sins and misgivings, as well as to increase the intensity of our prayer, fasting, almsgiving, religious practice, and invite people into our faith community as brothers and sisters. Furthermore, Lent is a time to deepen and strengthen our faith, which unites us and allows us to accomplish everything because of our love and devotion to Jesus. Prayer, fasting and giving, or charity, are the three main things individuals focus on during Lent. 

During Lent, we focus our prayers on our need for God's forgiveness. It's also about confessing one's sins and accepting God's forgiveness and love. During Lent, fasting, or giving up something, is a widespread tradition. The notion is that giving up a daily habit, such as eating dessert or looking through Facebook, might serve as a reminder of Jesus' sacrifice. Responding to God's kindness, generosity, and love by giving money or doing something good for others is one way to express gratitude. Some people, for example, volunteer their time or donate money. 

 

                    It's crucial to keep in mind that doing these things will never earn or merit Jesus' sacrifice or a relationship with God. People will never be good enough for a flawless God because they are flawed. Only Jesus has the ability to save us from our own sins. Because I've seen the results of prayer, I believe in its power. Spending time praying, fasting, and giving throughout Lent can help to make Jesus' sacrifice on Good Friday and resurrection on Easter even more significant. Lent is an opportunity to empathize more with people who are true without luxuries or even basic requirements. Lent can aid in the development of a more disciplined, intimate, and real prayer life as well as a stronger feeling of one's need for God minute by minute. 

References:

"Lent" Retrived March 3, 2022. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Lent

"Walking together through Lent: Resources for group study" Retrived March 3, 2022. 

https://pres-outlook.org/2017/02/walking-together-lent-resources-group-study/

 "Lenten Rites in Pampanga, Philippines" Retrived March 3, 2022. 

https://www.insightguides.com/inspire-me/blog/visual/lenten-rites-in-pampanga-philippines

"Lent" Retrived March 3, 2022. https://nolacatholic.org/lent

"30 Things to Give Up for Lent This Year" Retrived March 3, 2022.  

https://parade.com/1165347/kelseypelzer/things-to-give-up-for-lent/