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As a season, Lent was originally a period of preparation for Easter baptism.
During this time of instruction, the catechumen fasted and prayed. The climax came in the all-night vigil of
Easter Even with baptism and confirmation and the celebration of Christ's Resurrection.
At a later time all church members joined in making Lent a penitential season of mourning for sin. As time
went on more interest was shown in the trials and sufferings of Jesus than in anticipating his victorious Resurrection.
The forty weekdays of Lent represent the period which Jesus spent in the wilderness during his Temptations. According
to Matthew and Luke he fasted for forty days. The symbolism of Lent,
aside from Holy Week, centers on sin, temptation
and penitence. Lent's liturgical color, violet, stands for penitence.
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the
season of Lent, which is named after the Anglo-Saxon word "lencten,"
referring to the time of year when the days "lengthen" with the coming of
spring.
Palm Sunday is celebrated on the Sunday before Easter marking the
triumphant entry of Jesus into the city of Jerusalem before His passion.
If you have questions about the ministries of the church, please contact
Senior Pastor Fred Morgan at 512-258-9117 x 13.
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