Lent: Forty Days to Spiritual Renewal

 

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lenten Season for Catholics. Lent is the forty days leading up to Easter when we practice almsgiving, fasting, and prayer. It begins with receiving ashes in the sign of a cross on our foreheads, symbolizing that we are dust and to dust we will return. The tradition of using ashes to show repentance for sins is biblical. Lent is a time to draw closer to God for transformation, restoration, and renewal. It’s more than abstaining from meat on Fridays; it’s an opportunity to practice self-denial on a deeper level. Ultimately, Lent is a time to reflect on repentance, increase our faith, and grow spiritually.

The number forty represents a period of testing, trial, and preparation before a major change or renewal. It requires fasting and prayer, as we can see in the following six (6) bible stories.

In Genesis, we have a fine example in the story of Noah’s Ark. In this narrative, we see God sending rain for forty days and forty nights. This example shows us God’s desire to cleanse the earth due to the people’s disobedience.

In Numbers, we have another example in the story of the Israelites wandering in the desert for forty years. The bible states the journey should have only taken eleven days to reach the Promised Land. This example shows us the effects of their disobedience and lack of faith.

In Exodus, there is one more example in the story of the Ten Commandments. Moses went up to Mount Sinai to speak with God. He stayed on Mount Sinai for forty days without food or water when Moses received the Ten Commandments. 

The book of Kings also provides an example in the story of Elijah and Jezebel, who wanted to kill him. As a result, Elijah fled into the wilderness where an angel strengthened him with food. Afterward, Elijah traveled forty days to Mount Horeb to encounter God. 

In the book of Ezekiel, we have the example of a great prophet. God instructed Ezekiel to lie on his right side for forty days as penance for Judah’s sins. This story serves as a warning of coming judgment, a call for repentance, and a symbol of God’s patience.

In the book of Matthew, we have the best example when Jesus was tempted by devil. Before starting his public ministry, Jesus fasted for forty days in the desert. The devil asked him to turn the stones into bread. To which Jesus responded that man does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.

Have a blessed Lenten Season!