LENT...

I JUST REALIZED IT'S ASH WEDNESDAY TODAY!!! well, not that it matters much. i haven't been a practicing Christian for quite sometime now but my faith haven't wavered one bit :D.

anyway, just in case if any of you out there who are ignorant of what lent is all about, here are something for you peeps to read:

Lent is the Christian season of preparation before Easter. In Western Christianity, Ash Wednesday marks the first day, or the start of the season of Lent, which begins 40 days prior to Easter (Sundays are not included in the count).

Lent is a time when many Christians prepare for Easter by observing a period of fasting, repentance, moderation and spiritual discipline. The purpose is to set aside time for reflection on Jesus Christ - his suffering and his sacrifice, his life, death, burial and resurrection.

Methodist, Presbyterian and Anglican denominations, and also by Roman Catholics. Eastern Orthodox churches observe Lent or Great Lent, during the 6 weeks or 40 days preceding Palm Sunday with fasting continuing during the Holy Week of Easter. Lent for Eastern Orthodox churches begins on Monday and Ash Wednesday is not observed.

Not all Christian churches observe Lent. Lent is mostly observed by the Lutheran, The Bible does not mention the custom of Lent, however, the practice of repentance and mourning in ashes is found in 2 Samuel 13:19; Esther 4:1; Job 2:8; Daniel 9:3; and Matthew 11:21.

(from about.com.Christianity)

Ash Wednesday is the official start of the Lent season (although some denominations start the Sunday before). Traditionally, during Ash Wednesday services, the congregation receives the sign of the Cross in ashes on their forehead from the priest as a sign of repentance and a reminder that we came from dust which God breathed life into so without Him we are nothing.

Lent then runs for 40 days (although, again, it should be pointed out that some denominations don’t count Sunday’s during that time as they are considered mini-Easter’s so lent is actually 46 days long) until Holy Saturday. The significance of 40 days can be found throughout the Bible:

• After His baptism, Jesus was taken into the desert for 40 days to be tempted by Satan (Matt. 4:11, Mark 1:12-13, Luke:4:1-13)
• Moses spent 40 days on Mount Sinai receiving the ten commandments from God (Exodus 34:28)
• God flooded the earth for 40 days saving only Noah and his family (Genesis 7:10-12)

(from Dating God)

okay, from what i can gather is that the Lent season is the time where we be less indulgent on the things we do or like, in other words, to give up on our vice and do something good which will bring us closer to God.

all my 31 years of living, i thought Lent is the time when we refrain from eating meat on Fridays until the 40days is up. believe me, trying not to eat meat one day in the whole week can be quite tough, not because of the craving or temptation but because we are too conditioned to eat anything on any day that we tend to forget that friday is a no meat day hahaha.

okay yeah, you caught me...i didn't know about giving up our vices during this season was part of the preparation and i can tell you beforehand that i'm doomed to fail even before i begin hahaha.

now let's see, what are my vices?..
a) smoking
b) drinking
c) porn
d) procrastinating
e) selfishness
f) etc, etc

hahahaha, man..this is going to be tough, especially the smoking part hahaha. but since this is lent, i think i'll try once again to MINIMIZE smoking since that is my current major vice :p. and the good deed that i'll be acting on is to see nothing but good in people regardless of how obnoxious or annoying they are (okay, i can say that because it's not valid until later this evening hahaha)

so for you Christians who will be taking part in this year's Lent, have a blessed lent and GOOD LUCK! cheers :D