The day after tomorrow is Ash Wednesday. It marks the beginning of Lent – a liturgical season that consists of forty-day plus six Sundays before Easter – that prepares us through fasting, prayer, penitence, offerings and self denial towards the pinnacle celebration of Christ’s Passion and His conquer over death through the resurrection.

Where is it in Scripture?

Matthew 4:1-2 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit out into the desert to be put to the test by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, after which he was hungry.

Mark 1:12-13 And at once the Spirit drove him into the desert and he remained there for forty days, and was put to the test by Satan.

Luke 4:1-2 Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the desert, for forty days being put to the test by the devil. During that time he ate nothing and at the end he was hungry.

Ash Wednesday fell on the CNY week last year. Regretfully the husband and I missed Mass while in Taiping. This year, I will fulfill my obligations and have my forehead marked with the sign of the cross with the ashes of last year’s palm.

Besides abstaining from meat, it has been a ritual for me to offer up a favourite during Lent. I have been addicted to coffee the past 2 months and downing at least 2 cuppa a day. So that will be my favourite slash off for this year, and of course, a few other observations as well. Last year I stayed off the computer for 40 days, and the year before was TV.

Do you observe Lent? What would your offerings be?

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