Lenten Resources

Lent comes from the Old English word meaning “to lengthen” and refers to the lengthening of days.

The Forty Days of Lent begin on Ash Wednesday through Easter but do not count Sundays. Sundays were seen as “mini Easters,” and days to break the fast. As Advent prepares for Christmas and the incarnation, Lent prepares us for Easter and the Resurrection of Christ. Lent can be seen as a time of “spring cleaning your spiritual life” in terms of taking on a prayer practice, or a renewed spiritual commitment. Traditionally, fasting has been part of Lent, but it should not be used as a way to jump-start healthy eating habits. It should be about connecting our journey with Christ, who was in the wilderness for forty days, who journeyed to the cross for us.

Because Lent mirrors Advent, sometimes candles are used to mark the Sundays. Some churches use a “tenebrae” model, meaning shadows, that are often used on Maundy Thursday in extinguishing candles each week. Others, reflecting the theme that Sundays are “mini Easter,” light a candle each Sunday. In my pastoral ministry I often opted for lighting candles for each Sunday of Lent until we reached Easter, the seventh Sunday, so you’ll see some candle lighting liturgies below.