Guest Author - Nicola Jane Soen
Some people in England still celebrate the Christian celebration of Lent, in the period leading up to Easter
Traditionally in England Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, where the priest would anoint the forehead of churchgoers with Ash so they would be physically feeling the feelings of repentance, which in the Bible was talked of as ‘the rending (tearing) of ones clothes and wearing sackcloth and ashes'; as a sign of being sorry to the Lord for their sin or wrongdoings.
There would originally have been a fast of foods; particularly meat, eggs etc. Also this meant giving Alms (money) to the poor; along with meditation of what the Lord Jesus did when he died for the sins of Mankind on the cross; and what it meant for the individual concerned. However the Vatican relaxed these laws and fish was eventually allowed then meats. Originally one meal was allowed after 3pm, but some small snack ‘to sustain’ heavy workers were allowed also. This was NOT to include meat till after 3pm. Forty days of fasting did not include the Sundays (because Sundays celebrate the resurrection) of the month of Lent. Forty was a holy number because of Christ’s forty days in the wilderness and Moses forty days on mount Sinai.
In Protestantism Lent now is not enforced but is a choice, and it is suggested on gives up something that one likes rather than the foods mentioned. Often chocolate of wine, something that means something to the individual personally; and one is supposed to rethink how they live and see how they can live better. Then one individually reflects on the work of the Cross.
Lent ends Easter Weekend, though for Roman Catholics it actually ends Eater Thursday, Holy Thursday, and this heralds the first Mass of the Lords
Supper.
Although Christianity is no longer popular, especially as far as the Government are concerned, many English people still celebrate, and use it as a form of self discipline and refection of Christ’s sacrifice.
Also in this time; on the forth Sunday of Lent; we celebrate Mothers Day. But its roots are nothing to do with neither Mothers nor honouring them. Originally ordinary people celebrated church service in the church nearest the place they worked, of their ‘daughter’ church. However because of the importance stressed on the church of ones origin, when families and children (remembering children used to work from a very young age, and far from home, if necessary) were allowed a holiday to visit their family once a year; they then worshipped at their ‘mother’ church, often the church of their birth, as families did not move far from that place.
Often on the way home to visit their parents the children would pick wild flowers, violets etc for their mother. Also it was also originally known as ‘Refreshment Sunday’ because it celebrated the feeding of the five thousand in the Gospel; and the Fasting was relaxed on Sundays during Lent.
Now of course Mothers day DOES honour the mother and celebrate the day just for her. Unfortunately marketing makes this a ludicrous business and not the simple celebration of love it should be. In case you are wondering this year Mothers Day is on the 22nd March this year!
