It's now Lent in the West and I just wanted to wish anyone who is observing it a blessed one. May it be a time of reflection and renewal for you. 
If you're observing, feel free to share how.
If you're observing, feel free to share how.
-
Welcome to Religious Forums, a friendly forum to discuss all religions in a friendly surrounding.
Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to the following site features:- Reply to discussions and create your own threads.
- Our modern chat room. No add-ons or extensions required, just login and start chatting!
- Access to private conversations with other members.
We hope to see you as a part of our community soon!
It's Lent
- Thread starter Left Coast
- Start date
exchemist
Veteran Member
I don't do much for Lent these days, but I did go to get the sign of the cross in ash on my forehead yesterday evening."Remember man that thou art dust and unto dust thou shalt return". Sobering but salutary. I thought of my wife and my parents, who are already dust. My turn next. The church was full and everyone had come to get their ashes.It's now Lent in the West and I just wanted to wish anyone who is observing it a blessed one. May it be a time of reflection and renewal for you.
If you're observing, feel free to share how.
These rituals do bring you up short and make you think. That's good.
Shadow Wolf
Certified People sTabber & Business Owner
Probably point out how lots of restaurants (especially fast food) have a fish sandwich this time of year while they complain other accommodations are unacceptable.
lukethethird
unknown member
Memories as a child of me standing on the kitchen counter so I could reach the cookies that were stored on the top shelf during lent.
My husband says, as a chef, he hates Lent due to all the sudden dietary needs and unfamiliar recipes(and strangely, wasted food).
InChrist
Free4ever
As a former Catholic, I think it’s very strange and useless. But people seem to think or like the idea that doing certain things or avoiding certain foods makes them more spiritual and holy or impresses God somehow.
I'm an outsider here, but it seems to me it could be an empty ritual... or a very meaningful one, depending on how a person takes it.
I heard it said that in choosing what to give up, one should give up an obstacle that is keeping them from being closer to God, rather than something arbitrary. I guess that would encourage a person to think deeply on how they approach Lent, but I've observed its mostly done in tradition(for example, the typical "giving up meat" and then switching over to fish).
Anyways, I find many religious rituals and customs generally fascinating and beautiful.
Who lent what to whom?
Seriously though, I'm giving up both
casu marzu & chou dofu for lent.
Seriously though, I'm giving up both
casu marzu & chou dofu for lent.
A brave sacrifice.
lukethethird
unknown member
No kale for me.
We are indeed a pair dedicated to sacrifice.
exchemist
Veteran Member
These things are mostly just a symbolic way to mark a season as special, to encourage reflection and to carry out a little exercise in self-discipline. Ramadan is similar. Asceticism features in most religions, I think.
Shadow Wolf
Certified People sTabber & Business Owner
Yeah, a couple years ago doing rideahare I took these girls to Jack in the Box. They gave up dairy for the season. That was an embarrassing pain sitting in line as they asked repeatedly if something may have diary. Why did they not have this planned out ahead of time?
Shadow Wolf
Certified People sTabber & Business Owner
You went Catholic? You must really hate their god amd want him to suffer if you want to cozy up to him for all eternity.
Catholic?You went Catholic? You must really hate their god amd want him to suffer if you want to cozy up to him for all eternity.
I'll have you know that I give up those
for every holiday of every religion, &
all days in between.
Have you been watching 1923 (Paramount+)?
It's got me really hating those sadistic nuns & priests.
After hearing everyone talk about pancakes all Tuesday, I decided to join in the fun...
Boy, did I have a stomach ache...
That's what I've gathered, too. I loosely track religious observances from various traditions, and I've noticed, regardless of religion, there is a theme of time consuming cleansing and then great celebration this time of year. I notice Ramadan and Lent tend to coincide(Lent comes first, typically). There are 40 days of Lent, and there are 40 days between Vasant Panchami(the celebrating of Goddess Saraswati and the acknowledgement of a coming spring) and Holi(the more well known festival of colors celebrated by Hindus). Many of the ancient Pagan religions of Europe regarded a fire or thunder deity in early February, and customs to 'wake up' the sleeping earth are sometimes still loosely observed in some areas.
The asceticism makes sense this time of year, too, when our ancestors who lived off of the land simply had less to make due with in the late winter/early spring.
The commonality brings great connection and meaning for me.