WEDNESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY
with Reverend Jerome L. Warfield, Sr.
at 7:00 pm
Dear Saints:

The season of Lent is once again upon us. Lent in English comes from an Old English word that means “to lengthen,” and it’s a reminder of the days getting longer as we move toward summer out of the dark of winter.

But in a number of other languages, particularly Spanish and French, the word for “Lent” reflects “forty days,” “cuaresma.” Forty days of wandering in the desert, forty days of Jesus out in the desert
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Lent is the 40 day period of prayer and fasting in preparation for Resurrection Sunday (Easter).  There are 46 days between Ash Wednesday and the Saturday Before Resurrection Sunday. So how are the 40 days of Lent calculated?

The answer is that all of those 46 days are within Lent, yet not all of them are of Lent, in the sense that they are supposed to be days of fasting and penance. In the past, Christians observed Lent by imitating Christ's 40 days in the desert. As He fasted for 40 days, so did they.

From the very earliest days, the Church has declared that Sunday, the day of Christ's Resurrection, is always a feast day, and therefore fasting is forbidden. Since there are six Sundays within Lent, we have to subtract them from the days of fasting. Forty-six minus six is forty.

Does that mean that you should go out of your way on Sundays to indulge in whatever you gave up for Lent? Of course not,  but in the same manner, you should not actively avoid it assuming that it is something good that you've deprived yourself of, rather than something that you shouldn't do or consume anyway.

Lent is also about a journey. It’s a journey that is about enlightenment if we’re willing to think about it that way.

Lent is an ancient tradition of solidarity and preparation for those who look forward to Resurrection Sunday. It has always been a time for prayer and study, fasting, self-denial, and alms-giving, sharing what we have with those who do not have.

Prayer is an opportunity to reflect on who walks with us in the desert, who brings light into the world.

Study is an opportunity to do the same kinds of things looking at the history of our tradition, where have human beings found light and direction in their journey through this world.

Fasting and self-denial are an inward-reflection on what it is that keeps us in the dark, or what it is that keeps us directionless, or that keeps us overly self- focused. And it becomes an invitation to turn outward and share what we have with those who have not.

Lent is a journey we willfully undertake to build solidarity among God’s people and the rest of the earth.

I have attached the purpose for fasting and our 2018 church wide fast for Lent, which begins at 12:00 AM on Wednesday, February 14, 2018 and will conclude at 12:00 AM on Sunday, April 1, 2018.

May your season of Lent be a blessed one this year.
Pastor J.L. Warfield, Sr.
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