"Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." (Hebrews 13:16)
Lent begins each year on Ash Wednesday, 46 days before Easter Sunday. This year Lent will begin on February 22nd, 2023, and if you are following the 40 days tradition, Lent will end on Holy Saturday, April 8th, 2023. Ash Wednesday falls after Shrove Tuesday, also known as Fat Tuesday, when it's traditional a time of confession and indulgence before fasting begins.
Lent is meant to be a time of repentance. That’s not a feeling of shame but an awareness that sin separates us from God and of what it cost Him to be reunited with us. Shame has its place, but feeling shame over sin is not the same thing as repentance from sin because our tempter can take our obedience to God and turn it into a source of pride.
Lent is an excellent time to give up one’s own resolutions and listen for God’s leading. Where God's lead might be more difficult than any fast and Christians realize that they cannot do anything in their own strength either: only the grace of God is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Christians honor the forty days and nights following Christ’s baptism when He went into the wilderness without water and food and was tempted by Satan. During that time, Christ did what we do today when we fast: wrestle with temptation. (https://www.christianity.com/wiki/holidays/what-is-the-purpose-of-lent.html)
Pray (repent). . . Fast (give up). . .Give (to others) . . . Lent 2023. What can you do to become closer to Christ?
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