With Valentine’s Day receding fast behind us, we’re into Easter – or more accurately Lent, the 40 days leading up to the Christian Holy Week, which recalls the death of Jesus and culminates in a celebration of his resurrection.
During Lent, believers prepare themselves for Easter through prayer, charity and self-denial. The 40 days represent the time Jesus spent in the desert, tempted by the devil, before he announced the coming of the kingdom of God.
People often give up some so-called guilty pleasure for Lent, like chocolate or red meat. This year, some church leaders have called on the faithful to switch off their iPhones and iPods – a hard call for some younger believers!
Other suggestions are a carbon fast, eating by candlelight, and – dare I say it – flushing the toilet less often.
What’s important is the denial of some relative luxury, for a few weeks, in order to pray and focus on ultimate reality. What are you giving up for Lent? Is the tradition still relevant?
Broadcast on 2CH Sudney on 21 Feb 2010.
