Lenten Season 2012

I made it for the Holy Eucharist celebration last night with my three kids minus wife and 3 month old baby. Ash Wednesday it was yesterday and the Cathedral of Imus was busy hosting the Sunday-like schedule services. With all the never-ending buzz about the world's end, it helps that we hold on to our faith with conviction and sincerity.

Lenten Season is the time of Spiritual Purification

What are we really celebrating during Lent?

Basically, the season of Lent is the time of preparation Easter Sunday. It is the season of penance and prayer before the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Roman Catholic calls on every believer to pray and fast for 40 days. For the age group 18-60, they are to skip one meal a day and avoid meat foods. For 14 years old and above, they are expected to avoid any forms of meat foods during the 40 days of purification. Purification process can take on many forms and practices. This is also known as abstinence and fasting.

There is a difference between abstinence and fasting but it is closely related. Abstinence is the avoidance of meat which has been a spiritual practice since the early beginnings of the church while fasting is the restriction one adheres to on the quantity of the food we eat.

Fasting and Abstinence are two powerful spiritual tools which helps us tame our body to concentrate more on higher, Godly things. Take note, these practices are voluntary and that almost everyone has a thing or two to say about it.

For our cultural note, one superstition I grew up with when it comes to Lenten practices is that we are not suppose to take a bath on Good Friday.  It may be funny to listen to such superstitions but honestly, I think it has a lot to do with the spirituality of Filipinos from long ago.

Remember, we have prayer vigils for almost all occasions and these prevents you from completing your 8-10 hour sleep. To prevent the young ones from getting sick after the prayer vigils, most probably the older generations wanted to prevent them from taking a shower.

So how will you participate in Christ's Passion this Lenten Season?