Lent is the period of preparation for Easter, the central season of the Christian year. It begins on Ash Wednesday (today) and lasts for 40 days, and excludes the Sundays in Lent. Because Jesus rose on the first day of the week, every Sunday commemorates Easter- thus the Sundays during Lent are referred to as being "in Lent" rather than "of Lent". Lent is a period of repentance and abstinence (in the ancient church it was a period of fasting, study and meditation in preparation for baptism at the Easter Vigil).
Lent begins at a different time each year, as the date of the festival of Easter in the Western Church is determined by the lunar calendar. Easter Sunday is the first Sunday after the full moon that occurs on or next after 21 March. The liturgical colour for Lent is violet, its dark shade standing for sorrow and repentance, which reflects a time of reflection and subdued activity.
Lent is a season when we can focus on Christ’s sacrifice for us, and a time for Bible study, prayer and serving others in love. Watch this space for some Lenten resources that you might like to use in your homes during Lent.
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