Roy’s Ramblings

Lent has begun … but … what exactly is Lent? Well, Wikipedia says: Lent is a 40-day, solemn Christian season of preparation for Easter, beginning on Ash Wednesday (Feb. 18, 2026) and ending on Holy Thursday (April 2, 2026).Which is actually true … but … doesn’t really reflect what Lent means or truly is to and for us.

So I ask again: What is Lent? Lent is a time of repentance, fasting, and reflection, patterned after Jesus Christ’s 40 days of temptation in the desert. The period focuses on three main pillars: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. The Gospel of Matthew explains these three pillars this way: (Taken from Matthew 6)

Prayer

“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Fasting

“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Giving to the Needy

“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

“So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

So why Lent? What is it truly supposed to mean? The purpose of Lent is to prepare us for the celebration of Christ’s resurrection, encourage spiritual renewal, and deepen one’s relationship with God. As mentioned earlier the Lenten season lasts 40 days, excluding Sundays, starting on Ash Wednesday and concluding on Holy Thursday; and during this time many folks take on some traditional practices including “giving up” luxuries (e.g., social media, sweets, coffee, bad habits) taking on spiritual disciplines (e.g., daily devotionals, Praying the Stations of the Cross, volunteering in various ministries) or a combination of the two.

While Lent is primarily observed in Catholic and Orthodox traditions, it is also honored by many other Christian denominations including United Methodist. So I pray you have a blessed Lenten Season where you find a way to be closer to God and deepen your faith relationship.

Bless You and Keep You – Pastor Roy