Whew...I'm glad I'm not of a faith that practices Lent. I suppose giving up posting on DU wouldn't count. >:)
-Eric
Posted on 03/01/2006 3:25:03 AM PST by gridlock
It is with some trepidation that I give up one of my chief pleasures and time-consuming activities. I will see you all on Monday, April 17.
L
Good luck!
Dwvotion to a higher cause is to be commended.
I tried that once, too.
Much harder to do than I thought.
It was a rough 15 minutes,
but I did feel better for it.
Whew...I'm glad I'm not of a faith that practices Lent. I suppose giving up posting on DU wouldn't count. >:)
-Eric
I give him a week. LOL
Are you sure you don't want to just starve youself for a month? No FR will be a tough one!
I didn't give her the cutesy "i" in her name, blame her mom.
I'll be here on a limited basis as well - I'd ask my brothers and sisters in Christ to join me, fasting in prayer
Just out of curiosity, what is the Biblical basis for Lent?
"Just out of curiosity, what is the Biblical basis for Lent?"
It's the past tense of Luke 11:15. I lent three loaves of bread to my friend and remembered too late that there was no bread left in the house so I went without until my next paycheck which was about a month later. It's a little known gloss on the passage which came through some obscure Councils in the middle ages to become an urban legend.
Matthew 20:17 And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them, 18 Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, 19 And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.
It is purely a Christian decision at this time of year to commemorate a period of 40 days leading to the crucifixion when Jesus began his march toward his sacrificial death.
We observe his sacrifice and determination by engaging in personal sacrifice....hopefully, sacrifice that makes a difference to ourselves spiritually and/or to our Christian mission.
(Buggman: doesn't this 40 days push us back to about the feast of Purim or slightly before?)
While my knowledge of Catholicism is limited, I believe even the Catholic church acknowledges that it is based on early traditions.
Regardless, not all traditions are bad things. Surely you wouldn't suggest that there's a problem with a time of self-denial, reflection and prayer?
Luke 11:15 is about Jesus being accused of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebul.
You must have meant a different passage.
See #13. It is a worthy tradition...
Far more than some because it truly does lead up to holy week.
I typed in Luke 11:5. Did you get a different cite?
I think for many it is a vehicle for works righteousness; a self sacrifice work to be done as part of their own atonement for their sins, which will assist in the atoning work of Christ.
The bible teaches that if you are going to fast, that nobody should know about it. Everyone seems to brag up their sacrifices during lent. Hence whatever reward would be gained in heaven for such self sacrifice is lost as you get your earthly reward from the admiration of the world.
My two cents.
i do not think it is bragging so much as just discussion. perhaps the "admiration" you posit is offset somewhat by the derision which so many non-Catholics accord Catholics in these discussions?
Fasting today for Ash Wednesday, abstain from red meat for 40 days,find peace by prayer, good works and charity and for me a spray bottle of Quantumn and turning the other check from folks who love to persecute you for cheesy entertainment.
Kick those devlish thoughts out of you're mind...
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