Great Lent

Lent - An Explanation for Children

by Rev. Fr. V.V. Paulose

Jesus said, "That kind of spirit can only be forced out by prayer and fasting." (Mark 9:29)

Lent is a practical solution God has given to the human beings in front of seeming impossibility. There is no problems that lent couldn't find solutions. It benefits our body, mind, and spirit. Our church observes number of Lents. Now we are in the Great Lent of 50 days starting on clean Monday and ending on Easter.

The first question comes in our minds when the word lent echoes in our ears is what are the food items we should be giving up. The simple answer coming is to give up meat then it goes to fish, egg, milk, cell phone, face book. Twitter, YouTube, TV, and it may be extended to 100% food and water.

It's a sacrifice in our day to day life in commemorating 40 days fasting and the 10 days passion Jesus have gone through in person for the salvation of human race. It reminds us of the mortality of our body and immortality of our spirit. So it's pre-emptive practice to become an eternal being.

Fasting, prayer, confession, reconciliation, Holy Communion, charity and capping with love are the steps to reach and experience the resurrected Jesus in person.

I conclude my words by quoting what Jesus said after his 40 days lent in the wilderness, "People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God." (Mathew 4:4)

See Also:

Great Lent in Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch
During the period of the Great Lent and other periods of fasting throughout the year, an individual makes a special attempt or connection to reach our God, and evaluate his calling as a Christian, to listen to the voice of the Gospels and heed its commandments.

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