Last Wednesday, many people throughout the United States received Valentine’s chocolate or other sweets, only to renounce them later. Underlying this year’s Valentine’s Day was Ash Wednesday, or “You Have Something on Your Forehead; Let Me Get That For You” day. Ash Wednesday marked the first day of Lent, or for many, a second shot at their 2018 New Year’s resolution. But what is Lent? Why are we encouraged to give up things we enjoy? And does it have anything to do with lentils?
In short, Lent is a Christian holiday that spans 40 days, not counting Sundays. It begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday, the day before Easter Sunday.
Throughout the 40 days, those recognizing Lent will fast, usually from a luxury or pleasure specific to them. The time of fasting encourages prayer and reflection leading up to the recognized time of Jesus’s death and resurrection. The name Lent comes from the Old English word “lencten,” meaning “spring season.” It also refers to the lengthening of days during Lent. It does not, however, have any connection to lentils — a common misunderstanding.
The origins of Lent are unclear. For years, the reasons and rules of Lent varied among different groups. Some people fasted for a few days, while others fasted for all 40. The Council of Nicaea allegedly only required Lent for those awaiting baptism. Only recently have the goals and stipulations of Lent been discussed and solidified.
At a certain point, people agreed on a length of 40 days, a biblically significant number. Despite the agreement on the length, no one had yet agreed on how those days would be counted. Some spread the 40 days over eight weeks and others,six. Eventually it was agreed upon that those observing Lent would fast for six weeks, six days a week, plus Ash Wednesday and the three days following it.
The beginning of Lent is marked by Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday. Shrove Tuesday, or Pancake Day, is a day of confession and forgiveness. The name Shrove comes from the word shriving, an act of confession. The day is also the last chance for people to enjoy and use up foods that they will not be able to eat during Lent. A common tradition is to eat pancakes which have butter, eggs, and fats, items that were once discouraged during Lent.
Following Shrove Tuesday is the beginning of Lent, Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday is a more solemn day; people are marked with ashes on their forehead, usually in the shape of a cross. The ashes, sometimes from the burnt palms of Palm Sunday, are a reminder to people of their inevitable time of death on Earth.
As the years have changed, so have the stipulations of the Lent fast. In the past, most of the fasting was regarding limiting food, such as meat or dairy. Today, people still give up food, but also focus on other distractions that are more prominent in the 21st century. As of Feb. 17, Christianity Today’s list of the top five Lent fasts according to Twitter were social networking, Twitter, alcohol, chocolate, and swearing. Other things on the list included religion, Donald Trump, and virginity.
