Tomorrow begins the season of Lent!
Tomorrow begins the season of Lent for Christians all over the world. In case you are wondering, Lent is a 40 day period of waiting and preparation before Easter. 40 has great symbolic meaning in scripture. The flood of the Noah and the ark story was 40 days. The Israelites wandered the desert for two 40 years periods. Jesus fasted 40 days in before his public ministry. Jesus hung out with his disciples for 40 days after Easter morning, preparing them for ministry and the reception of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. 40 is almost always connected to preparation and purification. Lent is just that. It is the emptying of self. It is preparing oneself to receive the good news of Easter, to experience it afresh, uncluttered from opulence, comfort, worldliness, and mixed-up priorities. This church season is usually practiced by fasting (or giving up) something that will help one remain focused and move towards the above goals. Every year I am tempted to try and kill two birds with on...