Lent

 2003 was the first time I had ever heard of Lent. A teacher at the school I was teaching had a a black smudge mark on her forehead. I told her about it and she said it is for Lent. I didn't know what that was then and didn't really know until last night.

Curious, I did a quick Internet research last night because a couple facebookers made posts about it. One is Catholic and the other went to Assemblies of God Bible college with me. My family never celebrated Lent so the whole concept is foreign to me. 

According to Wikipedia: 

"Lent (Latin: Quadragesima - English: Fortieth) is a solemn religious observance in the liturgical calendar of many Christian denominations that begins on Ash Wednesday and covers a period of approximately six weeks before Easter Sunday. The traditional purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer through prayer, penance, repentance of sins, almsgiving, atonement and self-denial. This event, along with its pious customs are observed by Christians in the Anglican, Calvinist, Lutheran, Methodist, and Roman Catholic traditions.^[1][2][3] Today, some Anabaptist and evangelical churches also observe the Lenten season.^[4][5]

Its institutional purpose is heightened in the annual commemoration of Holy Week, marking the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus, which recalls the tradition and events of the New Testament beginning on Friday of Sorrows, further climaxing on Jesus' crucifixion on Good Friday, which ultimately culminates in the joyful celebration on Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. During Lent, many Christians commit to fasting or giving up certain types of luxuries as a form of penitence. Many Christians also add a Lenten spiritual discipline, such as reading a daily devotional, to draw themselves near to God."

I know fasting is a spiritual disciple. I took a course in college, Evangelistic Work of the Church. We had to read a book and write papers on different spiritual disciplines. One of mine was on fasting. 

I know from growing up, fasting is private. When my dad would fast from food, he would tell us not to tell anyone. Obviously, we knew because we lived with him. He always told us not to tell anyone when we were fasting, from food or otherwise. 

From the New International Version: 

16 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:16-18

Doesn't Ash Wednesday seem to contradict scripture? By putting black soot on your forehead aren't you making a public statement that you are fasting?  The Message interpretation is like a slap in the face.

16-18 “When you practice some appetite-denying discipline to better concentrate on God, don’t make a production out of it. It might turn you into a small-time celebrity but it won’t make you a saint. If you ‘go into training’ inwardly, act normal outwardly. Shampoo and comb your hair, brush your teeth, wash your face. God doesn’t require attention-getting devices. He won’t overlook what you are doing; he’ll reward you well. Matthew 6:16-18

Fasting is two-part. It is not only about sacrificing by giving up something. It is about using that absence as a time to draw closer to God through prayer and devotion. I think a lot get hung up on the "going without" when actually the second part is the most important. 

R