Smita Pani: Re: [World Malayali Club] Fwd: LENT 2016 [1 Attachment]

Dear fellow-Malayalis

Mr (or is it Ms?) Jacinto Pinto's extensive tract on Lent is quite interesting, 
especially to non-Christians who had their early education in Christian 
missionary schools and who are proficient in Judaic and Christian studies (both 
modern Western and ancient Eastern Orthodox), as well as their own more ancient 
scriptures and practices.

Pinto is perhaps correct in admitting that Lent is not referred to anywhere in 
the Bible.  But he/she tries to infer that the practice of putting on sackcloth 
and smearing ash on the forehead as indications of mourning is mentioned, e.g. 
in "2 Samuel 13:19; Esther 4:1; Job 2:8; Daniel 9:3; and Matthew 11:21."

Perhaps it would be instructive to look into this a little further.

For a start, Matthew -- in which Jesus Christ is said to have told two disciples 
of St John the Baptist (who was in prison), "Tyre and Sidon would have repented 
long ago in sackcloth and ashes" -- is not accepted by Jews (nor Muslims) as part of the Bible.  It is a Gospel of the Christians, who broke away from the Jews.

The Jews' Holy Book, or Bible, the Torah, consists of the five Books of Genesis, 
Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.  Hence, Samuel, Esther, Job and 
Daniel are not part of the Jewish Bible, though they are found in their holy 
scriptures named Nevi'im and Kethuvim.

In Samuel, King David's son Amnon raped his sister Tamar, threw her out of his 
chamber and had the door bolted after her.  She went away weeping and put ashes 
on her head.

In Esther, outraged and helpless at the obnoxious acts of King Ahaserus, who 
ruled from India unto Ethiopia and had subdued the Medes and the Persians, 
Mordecai ("[servant/follower/devotee] of Marduk" in Aramaic) rent his clothes, 
put on sackcloth and ashes, and went to the centre of the city, crying a loud and 
bitter cry. 

In Job, Satan smote Job with boils from foot to crown and, to relieve the itch, 
Job sat down among the ashes, scratching himself with a shard.

In Daniel, the prophet confessed to having sinned and having committed iniquity 
against God, and prayed with fasting, sackcloth and ashes.

What Christians today should note, appreciate and accept is perhaps that the 
practices of fasting and smearing ashes on the forehead precede Christian and 
Jewish civilisations.  And, of course, Islam.

Far removed from the Indian sathyaagrahis' politically motivated public "fasting 
unto death" (which is often swiftly terminated) to achieve partisan purposes, 
fasting to discipline the body and to elevate submission to and magnification of 
God has been practised in the sub-Continent from time immemorial, i.e. for 
millenia.

Whereas practising Muslims fast annually for one lunar month, pious Hindus fast 
for the whole day during the eleventh days after full moon and new moon 
(ekaadashi), and for half-day on new moon days (amaavaasya). That makes 52 plus 
27, or 79 days every solar year.  This is in addition to fasts on special 
occasions such as before anniversaries of parents' deaths, fasts to fulfil vows, 
fasts during pilgrimmages to sacred places, and ceremonial fasts before decreed 
rites.

Solid food, including soups and porridges, are prohibited for the faster, but he 
or she might drink water, fruit juices, and milk.

There are prescribed prayers to be said and pious acts to be done during fasts, 
which can be performed alone or in company of fellow-fasters.

Pinto's article includes a photo of a devotee receiving holy ash which is smeared 
solemnly across his forehead.

Pious Hindus, men, women and children, have for millenia, even before the advent 
of Judaism, smeared sacred ash on their foreheads after bath, before prayer, 
before starting to perform spiritual duties, before visiting places of worship.

Same with immersion in flowing water, lake, or the sea as part of the ritual of 
initiation into the spiritual practices of worshipping God, seeking forgiveness 
for offences, and beseeching relief from woes.

S N



 On Saturday, February 13, 2016 6:47 AM, "Jacinto Pinto trust2010jp@gmail.com [worldmalayaliclub]" <worldmalayaliclub@yahoogroups.com> wrote:


 


A SPECIAL COMPILATION FOR ALL TO KNOW THE DETAILS OF OUR CHRISTIAN LENTEN SEASON



- TONY CHACKO

Here is a Lenten video song
https://youtu.be/AflpKCF3BnM - (For these 40 days) lenten song - by Michael John Poirier
What Is Lent?The Lenten Season in Christianity

When Does Lent 2016 Start?                                                                                                                                       
Lent starts every year on Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday 2016 falls on February 10, 2016.
When Does Lent 2016 End?As a liturgical season, Lent ends on Holy Thursday, immediately before the Mass of the Lord's Supper that evening, when the Easter Triduum begins. Holy Thursday 2016 falls on March 24. As a penitential season—the 40 days of Lent—Lent ends on Holy Saturday, the day before Easter Sunday. Holy Saturday 2016 falls on March 26, 2016.
How Is the Length of Lent Determined? 
While Lent is a 40-day period of fasting and prayer, there are 46 days from Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday (inclusive).Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, 46 days before Easter Sunday. (For an   explanation why Lent begins 46 days before Easter but is only 40 days   long, see How Are the 40 Days of Lent Calculated?) For Eastern Rite Catholics, Lent begins two days earlier, on Clean Monday.
 Clean Monday (Monday, February 8, 2016) 
 Ash Wednesday (Wednesday, February 10, 2016) 
First Sunday of Lent (Sunday, February 14, 2016) 
Second Sunday of Lent (Sunday, February 21, 2016) 
Third Sunday of Lent (Sunday, February 28, 2016) 
Fourth Sunday of Lent (Laetare Sunday) (Sunday, March 6, 2016) 
Fifth Sunday of Lent (Passion Sunday) (Sunday, March 13, 2016) 
Feast of Saint Patrick (Thursday, March 17, 2016) 
          		Feast of Saint Joseph (Saturday, March 19, 2016) 
 Palm Sunday (Sunday, March 20, 2016) 
 Holy Thursday (Thursday, March 24, 2016) 
 Good Friday (Friday, March 25, 2016) 
 Holy Saturday (Saturday, March 26, 2016) 
 Easter (Sunday, March 27, 2016) 
 The Annunciation of the Lord (transferred to Monday, April 4, 2016, because March 25 falls on Good Friday in 2016) 

Lent is the Christian season of preparation before Easter. The Lenten season is a time when many Christians observe a period of fasting, repentance, moderation, self-denial and spiritual discipline. The purpose is to set aside time for reflection on Jesus Christ - his suffering and his sacrifice, his life, death, burial and resurrection.
During   the six weeks of of self-examination and reflection, Christians who   observe Lent typically make a commitment to fast, or to give up   something--a habit, such as smoking, watching TV, or swearing, or a food   or drink, such as sweets, chocolate or coffee.
 Some Christians also take on a Lenten discipline,   such as reading the Bible and spending more time in prayer to draw   nearer to God.
Strict observers do not eat meat on Fridays, having   fish instead. The goal is to strengthen the faith and spiritual   disciplines of the observer, and develop a closer relationship with God.
Lent in Western ChristianityIn Western Christianity, Ash Wednesday marks the first day, or the start of the season of Lent, which begins 40 days prior to Easter (Technically 46, as Sundays are not included in the count). The exact date changes every year, because Easter and its surrounding holidays are movable feasts.
The significance of the 40-day period of Lent is based on two   episodes of spiritual testing in the Bible: the 40 years of wilderness   wandering by the Israelites and the Temptation of Jesus after he spent 40 days fasting in the wilderness.
Lent in Eastern ChristianityIn Eastern Orthodoxy, the spiritual preparations begin with Great Lent, a 40-day period of self-examination and fasting (including Sundays), which starts on Clean Monday and culminates on Lazarus Saturday.
Clean Monday falls seven weeks before Easter Sunday. The term   "Clean Monday" refers to a cleansing from sinful attitudes through the Lenten fast. Lazarus Saturday occurs eight days before Easter Sunday and signifies the end of Great Lent.
Do All Christian Observe Lent?Not all Christian churches observe Lent. Lent is mostly observed by the Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian and Anglican denominations, and also by Roman Catholics. Eastern Orthodox churches observe Lent or Great Lent, during the 6 weeks or 40 days preceding Palm Sunday with fasting continuing during the Holy Week of Orthodox Easter.
 Lent for Eastern Orthodox churches begins on Monday (called Clean Monday) and Ash Wednesday is not observed.
The   Bible does not mention the custom of Lent, however, the practice of   repentance and mourning in ashes is found in 2 Samuel 13:19; Esther 4:1; Job 2:8; Daniel 9:3; and Matthew 11:21.
Likewise,   the word "Easter" does not appear in the Bible and no early church   celebrations of Christ's resurrection are mentioned in Scripture.   Easter, like Christmas, is a tradition that developed later in church   history.
The account of Jesus' death on the cross, or crucifixion, his burial and his resurrection,   or raising from the dead, can be found in the following passages of   Scripture: Matthew 27:27-28:8; Mark 15:16-16:19; Luke 23:26-24:35; and   John 19:16-20:30.
What Is Shrove Tuesday?Many churches that observe Lent, celebrate Shrove Tuesday. Traditionally,   pancakes are eaten on Shrove Tuesday (the day before Ash Wednesday) to   use up rich foods like eggs and dairy in anticipation of the 40-day   fasting season of Lent. Shrove Tuesday is also called Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras, which is French for Fat Tuesday.
  

For those embarking on the annual Lenten journey, we've gathered 40   quotes about fasting, spiritual growth and the power of prayer.
1. "Are you capable of risking your life for someone? Do it for Christ." -- Pope John Paul II
  2. "Lent comes providentially to reawaken us, to shake us from our lethargy." -- Pope Francis
  3.   "As Lent is the time for greater love, listen to Jesus'   thirst...'Repent and believe' Jesus tells us. What are we to repent? Our   indifference, our hardness of heart. What are we to believe? Jesus   thirsts even now, in your heart and in the poor -- He knows your   weakness. He wants only your love, wants only the chance to love you."   -- Blessed Teresa of Calcutta
  4. Some people think that having ash on your forehead is ridiculous.   But I am neither ashamed nor afraid because the ashes remind me that I   have to someday pass away and reunite with my creator. -- Walter Buns
  5. "The most important thing a born again Christian can do is to pray." -- Chuck Smith
  6.  "Prayer is where the action is." -- John Wesley
    7. "The proof of love is in the works. Where love exists, it works   great things. But when it ceases to act, it ceases to exist." -- Pope   St. Gregory the Great
  8. "Prayer is reaching out after the unseen; fasting is letting go of   all that is seen and temporal. Fasting helps express, deepen, confirm   the resolution that we are ready to sacrifice anything, even ourselves   to attain what we seek for the kingdom of God."

  	-- Andrew Murray
  9. "Lent stimulates us to let the Word of God penetrate our life and   in this way to know the fundamental truth: who we are, where we come   from, where we must go, what path we must take in life..." -- Pope   Benedict XVI
  10. "Nothing, how little so ever it be, if it is suffered for God's     sake, can pass without merit in the sight of God." -- Thomas a Kempis                                                                                                  A woman   smiles after receiving ashes in observance of Ash Wednesday from clergy   of the Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church at Union Square in New York on   March 5.                             Photo: Reuters                          11. "Renounce yourself in order to follow   Christ; discipline your body; do not pamper yourself, but love   fasting." -- Saint Benedict
  12. "Whoever wishes to be my follower must deny his very self, take up his cross each day, and follow in my steps." -- Luke 9:23
  13. "One should never initiate anything that he cannot saturate with prayer." -- Unknown
  14. "Prayer does not change the purpose of God. But prayer does change the action of God." -- Chuck Smith 
  15. "Men may spurn our appeals, reject our message, oppose our       arguments, despise our persons, but they are helpless against our   prayers." -- Sidlow Baxter
  16. "You can do more than pray after you have prayed; but you can never do more than pray until you have prayed." -- A.J. Gordon
  17. "Lent is like a long 'retreat' during which we can turn back into   ourselves and listen to the voice of God, in order to defeat the   temptations of the Evil One. It is a period of spiritual 'combat' which   we must experience alongside Jesus, not with pride and presumption, but   using the arms of faith: prayer, listening to the word of God and   penance. In this way we will be able to celebrate Easter in truth, ready   to renew the promises of our Baptism." -- Pope Benedict XVI
  18.   "As you mourn for your sins and weaknesses this Ash Wednesday through   fasting, mourning and weeping, may you be truly transformed from your   heart." -- John Tribes
  19. "Everything in life has its own time. There is time to celebrate   and there is time to mourn. This is the time for reflection and   transformation. Let us look within and change into what we ought to   be."  -- Aaron Saul
  20.       "God shapes the world by prayer. The more prayer there is in the world   the better the world will be, the mightier the forces of against evil …"   -- E.M. Bounds
21. "Satan does not care how many people read about prayer if only he can keep them from praying. -- Paul E. Billheimer
  22. "Fasting is the soul of prayer, mercy is the lifeblood of   fasting. So if you pray, fast; if you fast, show mercy; if you want your   etition to be heard, hear the petition of others. If you do not close   your ear to others, you open God's ear to yourself." -- St. Peter   Chrysologus
  23. During these 40 days, let me put away all my pride. Let me change   my heart and give up all that is not good within me. Let me love God   with all that I am and all that I have." -- Genesis Grain
  24. "Remember that lent and ash Wednesday is not just about putting   away the bad things. It is about creating good things and helping the   poor and the needy, being kind to people and much more." -- Jacob   Winters
  25.   "As Lent is the time for greater love, listen to Jesus'   thirst...'Repent and believe' Jesus tells us. What are we to repent?    Our indifference, our hardness of heart.  What are we to believe?  Jesus   thirsts even now, in your heart and in the poor -- He knows your   weakness. He wants only your love, wants only the chance to love you."    -- Blessed Teresa of Calcutta
  26. "The greatest thing anyone can do for God or man is pray." -- S.D. Gordon 
  27. "Fasting confirms our utter dependence upon God by finding in Him a source of sustenance beyond food." -- Dallas Willard 
  28. "All throughout my life I have been living recklessly. I have   sinned a lot and done things that I know I should not have done. Now I   will return back to God and change myself." -- Genevieve Shaw
  29. "It is not just about giving up our favorite food but its about   going further and giving up things like hatred and unforgiveness. You   need to clean your heart and prepare yourself for purity." -- Amanda   Jobs
  30. "If I fail to spend two hours in prayer each morning, the devil   gets the victory through the day. I have so much business I cannot get   on without spending three hours daily in prayer. -- Martin Luther                                                                                                   A Catholic believer is smeared with ash after the Ash Wednesday mass at the Cathedral in Guatemala City on March 5.                            Photo: Reuters                          31. "Even Jesus who is the Lord of Lords   and the king of kings fasted and prayed in the desert for 40 days and 40   nights. How much more we need to do the same with all our sinfulness   and baggage's." -- Tamara Lane
  32. "God does nothing except in response to believing prayer." -- John Wesley  
  33. "Prayer strikes the winning blow; service is simply picking up the pieces." -- S.D. Gordon
  34. "The Lord measures out perfection neither by the multitude nor   the magnitude of our deeds, but by the manner in which we perform them."   -- St. John of the Cross
  35. "Fasting makes sense if it really chips away at our security and,   as a consequence, benefits someone else, if it helps us cultivate the   style of the good Samaritan, who bent down to his brother in need and   took care of him." -- Pope Francis
  36.   "We all suffer for each other, and gain by each other's suffering; for   man never stands alone here, though he will stand alone hereafter; but   here is he is a social being, and goes forward to his long home as one   of a large company." -- Cardinal John Henry Newman
  37.   "Nothing, how little so ever it be, if it is suffered for God's sake,   can pass without merit in the sight of God." -- Thomas a Kempis
  38. "You cannot be proud and expect to be transformed away from your   sins. You need to humble yourself and have a spirit of repentance within   you. Then you will see real change." -- Mable Vine
  39. "We all came from dust and to dust we shall return. Even the   greatest and the richest people of this generation will be soon   forgotten. Let us focus completely on God almighty." -- Vernon Kane
  40. "Lenten practices of giving up pleasures are good reminders that   the purpose of life is not pleasure. The purpose of life is to attain to   perfect life, all truth and undying ecstatic love – which is the   definition of God. In pursuing that goal we find happiness. Pleasure is   not the purpose of anything; pleasure is a by-product resulting from   doing something that is good. One of the best ways to get happiness and   pleasure out of life is to ask ourselves, 'How can I please God?' and,   'Why am I not better?' It is the pleasure-seeker who is bored, for all   pleasures diminish with repetition." -- Fulton J. Sheen