It Took 40 Days …

Father Thomas Rosica, CSB

TORONTO, FEB. 22, 2009 (Zenit.org).- On Ash Wednesday, Feb. 25, the Church begins her great Lenten journey with Jesus on the road to Jerusalem. For centuries, Lent has been a very intense spiritual journey and experience for the followers of Jesus Christ.

Why are there 40 days in Lent? It took 40 days for sinfulness to drown in the flood before a new creation could inherit the earth. It took 40 years for the generation of slaves to die before the freeborn could enter the Promised Land. For 40 days Moses, Elijah and Jesus fasted and prayed to prepare themselves for a life's work.

Lent invites us to turn from our own selves, from our sin, to come together in community. Self-denial is the way we express our repentance. Self-denial is threefold, advises Matthew's Gospel.

We pray: "Go to your room, close your door, and pray to your Father in private."

We fast: "No one must see you are fasting but your Father."

We give alms: "Keep your deeds of mercy secret, and your Father who sees in secret will repay you."
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