As far back as the fourth century Christians have observed the yearly forty day reminder of how they have been incorporated into the paschal event of the passion, death and resurrection of Christ through their baptism. Lent cannot be separated from Easter when most baptisms took place. This is a time for Christians to prepare their hearts and reflect more deeply on the baptismal call to continuing conversion. The call to conversion is at the forefront of Lent on the first day of the season. This year the coronavirus has been a stark reminder of the undeniable reality of death as one of the two liturgical formulas declares “Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return”. The ashes are symbolic of human mortality. But the second formula “Repent, and believe in the Gospel”, the initial message of Jesus according to Mark’s account, is a challenge to change one’s way of looking at life by turning away from sin and toward the Good News of a God who is always seeking us. So Lent can be a season of renewal and new life as the term comes from an ancient word meaning springtime.
Abstinence from meat on Ash Wednesday and the Fridays of Lent (for those 14 and older) is required by Church law. Also, Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fasting: those between the ages of 18 and 59 should eat less, meaning, take no solid food between meals and only one full meal that day. Serious health conditions excuse a person from these precepts. Pastors and parents are encouraged by the law of the Church to ensure that minors who are not bound by the law of fast and abstinence are educated nonetheless in an authentic sense of penance.