LENT

WHAT IS LENT ABOUT?

• Lent is the Christian season of preparation before Easter.
• The purpose is to set aside time for prayer for Jesus Christ.
• Prepare for the celebrate of the death and Resurrection of Christ.
• Purification washing away sin and selfishness through self-denial and prayer.

What are we remembering?

• We are remembering Jesus' suffering life, death, resurrection, and ascension .
• We also remember our lord in the desert for 40 days and 40 nights.

How long is lent?

• Lent is 40 days long.

When does it begin and when does it end?

• It begins on Ash Wednesday and ends Easter Sunday.
• It's 46 days truly but you don't count Sundays.

ALMSGIVING

• Almsigiving is a response by us to God.
• A response that we have through prayer and fasting .
• It is an expression of gratitude for all that god had given us.

Almsgiving

• It also means sharing what we have with others.
• Or doing charitable deeds or works of Mercy
• In Isaiah 58:7 we are told that we should be:
• Sharing your bread with the hungry, she altering the oppress and homeless;
• Clothing the naked.

EXAMPLES OF ALMSGIVING

• Donate clothing to the less fortunate
• Dedicate time such as volunteering
• Help the elderly in your community
• Donate food/money to local parish
• Help a friend / family member in need

FASTING

• Fasting is a biblical discipline that can be defended by old and New Testament
• Christ expected his disciples to fast and issued instructions for how they should do so .
• As Catholics follow this pattern by holding a partial fast on Ash Wednesday & Good Friday
• We imitate Christ by spending 40 days in spiritual discipline beg ire the celebration of Christ.

FASTING

• We pray, fast, contemplate, and engage in acts of spiritual self discipline.
• We do this because of the resurrection of Christ.
• Easter is the greatest day of the Christian year in Catholics recognized this.
• They prepare such a holy day by engaging In such discipline.

EXAMPLES OF FASTING

• Not eating between meals
• Ages18-59 should fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
• One full meal, and two smaller meals is an example.
• Think peaceful and positive during fasting.
• Drink only liquids.

Why do we give up meat on Fridays?

• We Catholics remember the day Jesus sacrificed himself for all humanity.
• Its a form of penance to honor and worship Jesus.

PRAYING

• Prayer is an address (petition) to God in a word or thought asking him.
• For God to protect, help, or guide us in difficult situations
• “We have to pray with our eyes on God, not the difficulties."-Oswlad Chambers

PRAYING

• Without prayer, fasting, and alms giving we are merely actions we do out of tradition.
• Praying is our conversation with God
• It is through prayer that we develop a closer more intimate relationship with God.
• The church understands that prayer is essential to any actions we Catholics may undertake.
• This relationship makes us so grateful for the blessings he had given us.

8 WAYS TO PRAY

• Make your abstinence a prayer in action
• Renew yourself through personal reflective prayer
• Pray the Stations of the Cross
• Meditate on holy Scripture with Lectio Divina
• Reflect deeper on your liturgical prayer

8 WAYS TO PRAY

• Join or start a prayer group
• Pray with your family
• Start a practice of daily prayer that will last after Lent.

!!!THE END!!!