This passage really made me stop and think, because it seems very anti-Lent on the initial reading. But a little understanding into the history of what was going on in the Church at that time helps clear it up:. If they messed up, it meant being cut off from God and their people. However, when Christ came and replaced the Old Testament legal system with the New Testament system of grace, many of the early Christians were still understandably very confused about which rules they still had to follow and which rules they could safely disregard.
They thought meat and marriage were morally wrong for all Christians everywhere, and they were preaching this heresy widely enough that it was causing problems. You can read more about the Encratites here. He was speaking in opposition to the ideas of one specific group of people, whose incorrect teachings were confusing the beliefs of a young and impressionable church.
To be clear, Catholics today do not practice Lent or abstain from meat in order to earn salvation. Personally, as a very committed Christian who is neither Catholic nor Protestant, I will be participating in Lent this year , just like I do every year. But I do follow this Catholic Lent eating guide every year. Three years to finish a book is kind of a long time.
Then, depending on what I read, I may go ahead and make an appointment with a priest to ask for clarification on any questions I still have at that point.
This helps cover the many costs of running this site and allows me to help provide for my growing family. Thank you! Are you participating in Lent this year? Are there any other Scripture verses related to Lent in the Bible that I should know about? Feel free to share below! Brittany Ann is an author, speaker, and founder of EquippingGodlyWomen. Comment policy: All opinions are welcome here and friendly, edifying debates are encouraged.
However, comments that are rude, hateful, malicious, or spammy will be immediately deleted without warning. Your email address will not be shared publicly. Your Website if applicable. I really enjoyed your post! I am catholic and I was unsure about eggs, so this was informative for me. I just wanted to say, you should just come on and join us already!
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. Mark And He was in the wilderness forty days being tempted by Satan; and He was with the wild beasts, and the angels were ministering to Him.
Ecclesiastes All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again. The Bible also talks about repentance and fasting, and the number 40 is prominent in various biblical events.
The problem with this explanation is that this incident is not connected in any way with Jesus' supposed observance of Easter. Some have suggested that Lent may be connected to earlier, pagan holidays. In Ezekiel Ezekiel Then he brought me to the door of the gate of the LORD's house which was toward the north; and, behold, there sat women weeping for Tammuz. Consider that the name Easter itself is derived from Ishtar, the ancient Babylonian fertility goddess and Tammuz's mother".
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Magazine Press Releases Bible Verses. Get Involved. About Us. Register Now Username. Sponsor a Child. Search Compassion UK. Log in to myCompassion Don't have an account? Lent Bible verses Lent is the 40 day period where we draw closer to God in the lead up to Easter. Isaiah Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Psalm My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When can I go and meet with God? Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity. Who knows? He may turn and relent and leave behind a blessing—grain offerings and drink offerings for the Lord your God. Lamentations The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; Isaiah Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion.
For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! Psalm Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Matthew 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.
Isaiah But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Psalm We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.
May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you.
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