What Is Lent?

To put it simply Lent is a time of fasting, meditation, and repentance from Ash Wednesday until Resurrection Morning. Ash Wednesday or “The Day of Ashes” commences this period with the burial or mourning symbol of an ashen mark on one’s face/ forehead. The Roman Catholic tradition is to draw an ashen cross on the forehead as a sign that these 40 days (not counting Sundays) from Ash Wednesday till Easter. This period is a time of sobriety and focus. It is very common for certain food to be given up during Lent as a way to fast in preparation for the celebration of Christ’s resurrection. While food is the primary mode of fasting, it is not uncommon for different forms of entertainment, personal hobbies, or other everyday pastimes to be withheld. 

But let’s get to the million-dollar question. Is Lent a biblical idea? The short answer is no. Nowhere in the Bible is a period of 40 days of self-sacrifice commanded or even discussed in regard to the Resurrection event or any other time. There are certainly examples of people fasting in the Old and New Testaments. Fasting is a good thing and can be a very real way to limit distractions that may keep one’s focus away from prayer for a serious issue or circumstance. However, the sacramental tradition of Lent finds it’s origin around the 4thcentury AD. The Roman Catholic church and some Protestant denominations have adopted it in their annual church calendar and uphold its practice, well, religiously. 

Fasting is a wonderful thing to do. Repenting is a wonderful thing to do. Disciplining oneself is a wonderful thing to do. However, is there a biblical principle that the extremely visible season of Lent including Ash Wednesday disregards? Consider the following passage...

“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. (Matt. 6:16-18)

I would argue that walking around with an ashen cross smeared on your forehead or announcing to your community/ church what food or pastime you are giving up for Lent is not in keeping with the spirit of Matthew 6. 

Should a Christian participate in Lent? I will give a cautious “No” but with an important caveat. I will never condemn a Christian from taking instruction from Matthew 6 and engaging in personal fasting, repentance, and prayer. However, make sure that those wonderful practices stay between you and God. The Christian life is not meant to be an annual calendar of pomp and circumstance. The Christian life is made up of a daily committed, repentant, focused, and controlled life. Celebrate the daily faithfulness of Christians in your life and rejoice in the free grace provided by Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. Live out your faith every day and look for ways to humbly and intentionally share that faith with others!

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