Muddy Shoes by Todd

    By

    Todd K Estes

    ·

    Tags:

    , , , , , , ,

    LENT … (40-1)

    DAY 2

    Years ago, I had a friend who practiced Lent every year. But there was twist. He gave up … watermelon. You read right. Watermelon. His reasoning was that watermelon was out of season, watermelon was difficult to get, and watermelon wasn’t something he really liked anyway. So, he gave up something he really didn’t want anyway.

    I laud his creativity, but I say he really missed the point.

    Let’s look back little … Early Christians were known to fast to get ready in recognizing Easter and the celebration of the resurrection. This practice goes back to the first centuries after the first Easter. But according to Eusebius (A 4th century historian), they normally only did a few days. After 313 AD (BCE), which was the date of the legalization of Christianity, the length kept growing until it reached 40 days. Forty is a significant number … it rained for 40 days during Noah, Moses was on the mountain for 40 days, Jesus was in wilderness for 40 days, and more.

    In 325, the Council of Nicea set the regular calendaring of Easter and acknowledged a 40-day preparatory time.

    in 601, one of the Popes expanded it to 46 days – 40 plus six Sundays, which were traditional feast days. This proves they were really Baptist, for we like our feasts and covered dish days.

    He also established the tradition of Ash Wednesday. (see tomorrow on this)

    Now, I realize some practice Lent on a different schedule (think Great Lent!) Some even practice Lent as fasting or giving up something besides food – Social Media / TV / chocolate … even, dare I say as I sip from my Yellowstone mug with Pendleton strips … coffee. GOOD GRIEF. How do they survive?

    This leads me to ponder the reasoning behind someone practicing Lent. Could it be just to say you are doing it (I will give up watermelon!)? Could it be to follow a tradition, but not really making it personal (just another thing on the church calendar)? Could it be to punish yourself, maybe out of guilt (give up coffee!)? Or maybe, to deeply desire a stronger relationship with God?

    As I wrap up today … I ask …

    • Is there anything you are fasting from? Anything specific?
    • What is the reasoning behind it?

    It’s not too late to begin. Maybe too late to get the 40 … or 46 to be exact, but not too late to begin.

    Leave a comment