I went to church with most of the friends I had when I was growing up and the Catholic holidays we observed were just normal to all of us. It wasn't until I got to college that I realized many people do not know that much about the Catholic religion, Lent specifically. I actually didn't realize this until I got out of Ash Wednesday Mass, and someone on campus stopped to inform me I had ‘dirt on my forehead.’ Another asked me why we put ashes on our forehead, and I explained that it was because God makes us from dust, and when we die we will all be dust again. Honestly, people think it’s morbid, but I find it somewhat comforting knowing that even though we will be dust, we will be with God again.
I went to catechism as a child from first grade until the end of eighth grade where I learned all about the Catholic religion and made three of the seven sacraments: reconciliation, my first communion and my confirmation. When I was growing up, I didn't really care for lent because I had to give up something I enjoyed and I couldn’t eat meat on Fridays. Now, I appreciate this time of the year because I actually understand what is going on.
Lent is the period of time between Ash Wednesday and Easter where Catholics give up something they enjoy (I gave up pop - my only source of caffeine) and cannot eat meat on Fridays (or Ash Wednesday which is the first Wednesday of Lent). Lent ends on Easter, when Jesus rose from the dead. The week before Easter is called Holy Week which consists of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday. Jesus was crucified on Good Friday and then rose again (into spirit form) on Easter Sunday.
Lent is known to be 40 days long because that is the amount of time Jesus spent in the desert fasting and enduring temptation from the Devil. Between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday there are actually 46 days. On each of the six Sundays, some choose to consider them as "cheat days" and take back what they give up just for that one day. I, personally, do not participate in these cheat days because Jesus did not have any cheat days when he was in the desert.
On Holy Thursday, Jesus and 12 disciples participated in what would be known as “The Last Supper.” On Good Friday Jesus was crucified on the cross, and on Holy Saturday, Jesus’ body laid in the tomb where he was put to rest. On Easter Sunday, Jesus’ body was missing from the tomb, leading everyone to believe that he rose from the dead. His rising from the dead symbolizes that death is not the end, and that we do have an afterlife.
On Easter Sunday, catholics celebrate Jesus’ life and the fact that he rose from the dead. Rising from the dead is comforting and ensures to us that God is real, and that one day, our spirits will rise to carry out the rest of our lives with him. So on Easter this year, while you are eating the ham and cheesy-potatoes, remember the real reasons why we are celebrating such an important day.
