What is lent?

[Just KC]

Lent was brought up in Boblaw's vegetarian thread. I have heard of lent numerous times and always hear people giving things up for it. I did google it and read about it, but can someone explain it in layman terms for me??? Please

[cidp24a]

Lent is observed in the Catholic church as a time for self-examination, prayer and penance. It is the forty days prior to Easter. Many people "give things up" for Lent as a penance in preparation for Easter. Others may increase the good works that they do. Fasting or not eating meat on Friday's is also a common practice.

[OfficerResource.com]

here is a good link that explains it in good terms. You can click the links to learn more

http://www.catholicculture.org/litur...lent_about.cfm

[countybear]

Lent was brought up in Boblaw's vegetarian thread. I have heard of lent numerous times and always hear people giving things up for it. I did google it and read about it, but can someone explain it in layman terms for me??? Please

That's when tiny fibers of cloth threads rub loose from clothing and get trapped or accumulate in enclosed areas like the human navel, or pockets, or even in larger quantities, your clothes dryer.

[gopherpuckfan]

Lent is observed in the Catholic church as a time for self-examination, prayer and penance. It is the forty days prior to Easter. Many people "give things up" for Lent as a penance in preparation for Easter. Others may increase the good works that they do. Fasting or not eating meat on Friday's is also a common practice.

Exactly. The Lenten period directly correlates to the 40 days that Christ spent fasting in the desert, prior to his crucifixion, death, and resurrection.

[Cidp24]

It's also the reason many institutions serve only fish on Friday. Traditionally, no meat is eaten on Friday during lent.

[Jks9199]

As others have said -- Lent is the period of preparation for Easter in many Christian churches. The Catholic Church probably makes the biggest deal of Lent; Catholics are required to observe the law of fast and abstinence on Good Friday and Ash Wednesday, and abstain from meat (definition varies in different places; I think the Church in Canada still permits chicken, while chicken is meat in the US) on Fridays. Catholics are encouraged to practice various acts during Lent, aimed at deepening their faith. Typical things include alms giving, Eucharistic Adoration (spending time in the church with the consecrated Host, which we believe is the Body, Blood, Soul & Divinity of Jesus Christ), giving up something for Lent (sweets, soda, smoking, and the like are common), or spending extra time reading the Bible or in other forms of religious contemplation. The whole idea of Lent is that you're doing something to help you deepen your faith before Easter.

Interestingly enough... I've seen psych reports that say that it takes about 7 weeks (or about 40 days) to break a bad habit...

[kjlaw]

For the rest of us it is a great chance to not wait 45 min to an hour for a table at our favorite steak house on a friday evening.

[Just KC]

Thank you to everyone that replied. I totally understand now.
Thank you also Reca for sharing the link. Much appreciated!

[mavriktu]

That's when tiny fibers of cloth threads rub loose from clothing and get trapped or accumulate in enclosed areas like the human navel, or pockets, or even in larger quantities, your clothes dryer.

Uhhhh,CB,I believe that is LINT,that you refer to Lent is the day that comes 40 days after that damn Mardi Gras.Which by the way for the uninformed is the purpose of the Mardi Gras holiday,to get all that crap out of your system before lent,which begins on Ash Wednesday,which is the day after Fat Tuesday(Mardi Gras).

[Car 4]

Lent is where my highly Catholic wife makes me not eat a bunch of stuff I like.....and go to church a lot.....and get ashes on my forehead....and donate real money....other than that...what they said.

Car 4

[Resident Smart Ass]

That's when tiny fibers of cloth threads rub loose from clothing and get trapped or accumulate in enclosed areas like the human navel, or pockets, or even in larger quantities, your clothes dryer.

You stole my thought

[Buttercup]

You stole my thought

And it was the only one you had.

[Resident Smart Ass]

And it was the only one you had.

YES!!!!!!

[Just KC]

LOL!!!

[CTR man]

That's when tiny fibers of cloth threads rub loose from clothing and get trapped or accumulate in enclosed areas like the human navel, or pockets, or even in larger quantities, your clothes dryer.

Countybear, you crack me up. I knew I could always count on you for a laugh. Lent vs Lint. I thought lent was past tense of the verb "lend". You don't say "I lended you $5.00." You say "I lent you $5.00."

If you are not Catholic, Lent probably will not hold much meaning for you, in my opinion. As others have said, the Catholic Church makes the biggest deal out of Lent. Other Churches not so much, some not at all.

[Terminator]

Google IS your friend.

[Buttercup]

Countybear, you crack me up. I knew I could always count on you for a laugh. Lent vs Lint. I thought lent was past tense of the verb "lend". You don't say "I lended you $5.00." You say "I lent you $5.00."

If you are not Catholic, Lent probably will not hold much meaning for you, in my opinion. As others have said, the Catholic Church makes the biggest deal out of Lent. Other Churches not so much, some not at all.

I know that's your opinion, but with all due respect, that is not true.

[countybear]

You stole my thought

I realize that, and my appointment with a therapist is at 3:30 pm.