Abstinence to connect with the Almighty

Though Christmas is prominent and celebrated in a special way throughout the world, the most important celebration is Easter, for it is the day when Jesus Christ rose from the dead on the third day following his crucifixion which would be a Sunday. His rising from the dead is called Resurrection and it is believed that there is no Christianity without Resurrection. The date of Easter varies every year since it lies on the first Sunday after the first full moon after March 21 every year. Hence this year Easter is celebrated on April 16. The Friday previous to Easter is Good Friday, the day when Jesus Christ was crucified. The Sunday prior to Easter is Palm Sunday. The Jews who witnessed the miracles of Jesus Christ took Him on procession with palm leaves praising him and singing ho sanna. The same people betrayed Him and handed over him for death on the cross. Jesus Christ said on the cross that they didn’t know what they were doing. The week from Palm Sunday to Easter is called Holy Week. The day previous to Good Friday is called Maundy Thursday. It was the day when Jesus Christ had His last supper along with his disciples. Forty and odd days prior to Easter is called Lent.  

Lent starts on Ash Wednesday. This year Ash Wednesday falls on March 1.  As said earlier, the period between Ash Wednesday and Easter is called the Lent or the Lenten period. On Ash Wednesday, ash is placed on the forehead to signify that we should do penance and that we will also die one day.  Christians are expected to do penance, pray and do charities during the Lenten period. On Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, Catholics are required to observe fast i.e only one full meal is allowed on that day. This will be observed by persons from the age of 14 to 65. But not all; persons who are ill like those suffering from diseases such as diabetes are exempted from this. It is said that sick persons should not spoil their health by observing a fast. Some Christians take up fast for more number of days, voluntarily. On Ash Wednesday and on all Fridays during period of Lent, Catholics are expected to abstain from taking meat. 

It is also learnt that the entire Lenten period gives Christians an opportunity to come closer to God. Some sacrifice entertainment and other material wants dear to them. Review of life, seeking pardon for the sins committed, praying for self and others and helping the poor and needy are some of the deeds Christians indulge in during the period of Lent. While it is one of pleasing God and trying to be close to Him, it also helps one bodily and spiritually. Many Catholics  visit number of churches during Lent to obtain the grace of God. I wish all Christians a fruitful Lenten season and a Happy Easter.