It’s all about Easter! It’s about preparing our hearts and minds to celebrate the greatest day the world has ever known, the resurrection of Jesus Christ and his victory over sin and death. So, how do we do that? How do we make this journey to the cross and the empty tomb? In the early church, before the divisions of denominations, they began the journey of Lent. I know the word “Lent” is not in the Bible but the words “fast” and “fasting” are and are to be a part of our faith and practice. So, why now? I recently spoke to a class of second graders in a local school about Easter and Lent and the feast day we in Louisiana call “Mardi Gras”. They learned that Lent begins 40 days before Easter and that Easter “moves around” on the calendar, because it is based on the calendar of moon, not the sun. The 40 days reflects the 40 days and nights that Jesus fasted in the desert after his baptism. The word “Lent” comes from the Old English word “Lencten” which means “lengthen” because the days will get longer during Lent. So, those are the facts.

I was raised in a family and denomination that did not practice Lent and it did not hurt my eventual relationship with Christ. However, today my life and faith has been enhanced by this ancient tradition of fasting in one form or another. I certainly have not gone without food for 40 days but I have found giving up eating one day a week has reminded me of Jesus incredible sacrifice for me. Those hunger pains can speak to you. You should talk to your doctor about blood sugar issues before doing this. Intermittent fasting is popular now for health and weight control. Of course, the limited fasts that we mostly observe in Lent are giving up something that we really enjoy, like a food or beverage or an activity. Whatever you give up, it is between you and God and Jesus makes in clear in the “Sermon on  the Mount”, that we are not to brag about it in front of others. 

So, whether you lined up on Ash Wednesday to be reminded that you, “Are Dust” and your days are numbered, you can still join in the journey to the cross and the empty tomb today. Just pray about something you can sacrifice to deepen your faith or commit to pray, read scripture, put aside some time to spend with Jesus, who gave up everything to give you eternal life. You will be blessed by this journey as I have been and we will all break the fast (breakfast) on Easter morning!

(Steve Berger is pastor of First Methodist Church Minden, a Global Methodist Church. He is the husband of Dianne, his partner in ministry, they have two adult sons, a dachshund, and love living in Minden.)