SCHOOL OF RELI GI ON, PHI LOSOPHY &

CLASSI CS

RELG 101 H1

INTRODUCTION TO RELIGION

NAME : Keroshen Naidoo
STUDENT NUMBER : 211517641
DATE : 11 April 2014
TOPIC : Lent A Spiritual Awakening





Introduction
For the six weeks of Lent, I observed a period of approximately four weeks. To merely state
that I now have a renewed faith in God and a more determined focus on prayer will be a
resounding understatement. While many consider fasting a form of self-denial a personal,
private matter, Lent is not simply a sombre season but allows a person to self-examine their
actions and repent for their wrongs. I had duly discovered that the primary aims of this period
is to take a persons attachment away from the world and focus it on God and Christs
sacrifice on the Cross through prayer, alms giving and spiritual discipline. It was an effective
mean to heighten focus and gain self-control. More importantly, it was a sensational spiritual
awakening

What is Lent?
Lent is a time when many Christians prepare for Easter by observing a period of fasting,
repentance, moderation 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.

With this vague understanding and gist of the festival itself, I attempted to approach my
fellow peer with the hope that she may assist my thirst for knowledge. Assuming that she was
already well versed with the Lent season and observing it as well, I had merely asked her
Are you fasting for Lent? It seemed to be a fair and simple question at that time, but to my
astonishment, however, she remarked quite firmly, I am NOT Catholic! Naturally, I
became quizzical and asked her to elaborate. Although she was helpful to an extent,
something stirred inside me and so began my inquisition into a world unknown

The name Lent simply refers to the time of the year when the days begin to lengthen with the
coming of Spring (Thompson, 1995). The day before Lent starts is called Shrove Tuesday,
Mardi Gras or Pancake Day and is a time of celebration before Lent begins. In many
countries, there are costumes, singing and dancing and in some countries people make
pancakes. Traditionally, this was done was a way of using up the rich foods before the fasting
period began.
On the first day of Lent, called Ash Wednesday, some Christians mark their foreheads with
ash. This is a sign that they are humble before God. It is also a symbol of the sorrow and
mourning caused by sin. The ash used on this day is made from burned palm leaf crosses
saved from Palm Sunday of the previous year. (Hickman & Meredith, 2006)

Lent is a time when Christians remember the 40 days and nights Jesus spent alone in the
desert without food and being tempted by the devil. Jesus used this time to prepare for His
work by fasting and praying. It is widely recognized, as in the Bible, that Christians spend
forty days in preparing themselves to rejoice at the resurrection of Jesus Christ at Easter.


However, not all Christian churches take part in Lent. It is usually observed by the Lutheran,
Methodist, Presbyterian and Anglican denominations, and also the Roman Catholics
(Fairchild, 2014). I found this division and selective choice very appealing. It baffled me that
not all Christians wished to honour the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made. Was that not what
Christ-ianity all about? I took a step back, nonetheless, and considered the much broader
perspective. In Hinduism, there are also many divisions under the umbrella term Hindus.
Moreover, Hindi speaking Hindus celebrate and undertake customs that are much different to
Tamil-speaking Hindus and so on. Even in Islam, there is a division between Sharia Muslims
and Pashtuns hence creating further fission of their beliefs. The mere fact that such a common
factor of separation and split in dogmata exists amongst religions in the world was proof
enough that evolution of man is still not complete and the means of achieving perfection or
ultimate salvation was still an on-going search

When is Lent?
In Western Churches, it begins 6 weeks before Easter, and provides for a 40 day fast
(Sundays are excluded), in imitation of Jesus Christs fasting in the wilderness. In Eastern
Churches it begins eight weeks before Easter (both Saturdays and Sundays are excluded as
fast days) also summing up to 40 days. (Doniger, 1999: 658)

Lent is a moveable feast and largely depends on when Easter is celebrated that year.
Following the 40 day obedience, Lent ends at Easter, when Christians remember the
execution of Jesus and then celebrate his rising from the death (Barrow, 2014). Sundays are
always a day of Celebration in the Christian church hence it is not included in the 40 fast
days; Sundays commemorate the Resurrection.

The last week of Lent Begins with Palm Sunday, which celebrates the day Jesus entered
Jerusalem and the people lay down palms at his feet. The last day of Lent is Holy Saturday,
the day before Easter.

Interestingly so, upon researching the significance of Lent and the many Biblical
representations, the number 40 almost always signifies preparation for something special
(Barrow, 2014):
The rain lasted 40 days in the mighty flood Noah
Moses stayed on the Mount Sinai for forty days (Ex 24:18)
Jonah gave the people of Ninevah forty days to repent (Jon 3:4)
Jesus, before starting his ministry, spent forty days in the desert in prayer and fasting
(Matt 4:2)


Then and Now
In the past, Lent was a long, stringent religious fast when people gave up all rich food. It was
a time of preparation of candidates for baptism and a time of penance for sinners. In the early
centuries, fasting rules were strict, as they still are in Eastern churches: one meal a day was
allowed in the evening and meat, fish, eggs and butter were forbidden. In the West, however,
these fasting rules have gradually been relaxed. (Doniger, 1999: 658)

When I had initially intended to observe Lent at the St. Joseph Church in Mount Edgecombe,
Durban, and the Good Shepherd Church in Whetstone, Phoenix, I was warned by my own
parents about the ways of the Christians. It is a rather well-known fact Christians seek to
convert many people to their faith and they did not want me to be one of those people. I am
a staunch believer in Hinduism and had to reassure them convincingly that I am merely
observing such a phenomenon for educational purposes. Nevertheless, my experience
played out to be an encouraging enlightenment in my growing interest in Theology.

Having already missed Ash Wednesday at either of the churches, I felt as if I was going about
the experience in the wrong manner already. According to my initial research, I had already
been fasting for just over a week in accordance to the age-old practices. I had undertaken a
fast, which is already familiar with my own beliefs hence it was an almost natural transition.
However, upon visiting the church that Friday, I had learned that this fast was not
compulsory! I felt violated. Even so, I quietly bided my time until I was able to voice my
concern

It so happened, that the aim of Lent, explained simply by the Pastor who led the
congregation, is a time to springclean our lives, as well as our homes. The evenings
experience was a modest gathering between many denominations of churches that discussed
and shared each others Christian faith.

Churches in the present day no longer impose a strict fast. Lent is a time when some
Christians try to overcome their own faults because they believe that it was mans sin which
led Jesus to be crucified. Some Christians try to follow the example of Jesus in the desert by
giving up luxuries and practicing self-discipline. Moreover, they try to put aside more time
for prayer and religious acts so that they can really allow God to enter their lives. (Thompson,
1995: 24)


The Stations of the Cross
While aimlessly wandering the corridors of campus, I stumbled upon an outstanding poster
put up on the notice boards in the Denis Shepstone Building at UKZN Howard College. This
was an advertisement drawing people to a Mass Celebration every Wednesday by The
Association of Catholic Tertiary Students (ACTS). In addition, there were contact details
displayed and I was marvelled at the extent and influence they had managed to reach.
Immediately, I was attracted to the Facebook Page (ACTS UKZN Howard College, 2014) as
well as the Twitter (ACTS_UKZN, 2014) following it offered that was available and decided
to be a cyberspace follower out of curiosity.

Upon visiting the Page, the overwhelming inspirational messages and detailed explanations
of the faith by fellow students, sparked an appreciation for social networks and its grasp.
However, I was attracted to another important practice during the Lent season. A student had,
quite emotionally and passionately inserted a passage on the Stations of the Cross I could
not tamper with such profound and insightful words:

Ever Asked: Why do the Stations of the Cross?
The most important reason for reviving the practice of making the Stations of the
Cross is that it is a powerful way to contemplate, and enter into, the mystery of Jesus'
gift of himself to us. It takes the reflection on the passion out of my head, and makes
it an imaginative exercise. It involves my senses, my experience and my emotions. To
the extent I come to experience the love of Jesus for me, to that extent the gratitude I
feel will be deep. Deep gratitude leads to real generosity and a desire to love as I have
been loved. First, just a note about the history of the stations:

The History:
From the earliest of days, followers of Jesus told the story of his passion, death and
resurrection. When pilgrims came to see Jerusalem, they were anxious to see the sites
where Jesus was. These sites become important holy connections with Jesus.
Eventually, following in the footsteps of the Lord, along the way of the cross, became
a part of the pilgrimage visit. The stations, as we know them today, came about when
it was no longer easy or even possible to visit the holy sites. In the 1500's, villages all
over Europe started creating "replicas" of the way of the cross, with small shrines
commemorating the places along the route in Jerusalem. Eventually, these shrines
became the set of 14 stations we now know and were placed in almost every Catholic
Church in the world.

Why Put Them On the Web?
We do this for the same reason we have done the Daily Reflections and the Online
Retreat on the web - accessibility. It would be wonderful if each of us would find the
time to explore our church, or a classic church in town, and make the stations there,
going from station to station. However, it is much easier to imagine almost anyone
with a computer going through these stations, any time, day or night.

What if I have never made the Stations before?
Go to the page on "How to do the Stations" and see how simple it is. On the web, it's
easy. I can do one a day, for two weeks. I can do several at a time, and just do them,
when I get a chance. I can do all 14 at a time, and return to them in my prayer and
imagination as I do them.

The most important thing to remember is that this can be as personal as I'd like it to
be. One of our common religious struggles is to realize that we are not alone. The
Good News is that Jesus entered into our life's experience completely - even suffering
and death - and that he fell into the hands of a Loving God, who raised him from
death to life. We can have complete hope that suffering and death have no complete
hold on us. We will all share eternal life with him, if we can fall into the hands of the
same Loving God. And, along the way, we are not alone. Jesus is with as one who
knows our suffering, and the death we face. That can be deeply consoling. So try the
stations, and experience the consolation they offer. And return often, to be renewed in
this intimate experience of Jesus' solidarity with all humanity in our way of the cross
each day.
(Caluza, 2014)

The fourteen scenes observed and paid respect to were:
1. Jesus is condemned to death
2. Jesus carries his cross
3. Jesus falls the first time
4. Jesus meets his mother
5. Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus carry the cross
6. Veronica wipes the face of Jesus
7. Jesus falls the second time
8. Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem
9. Jesus falls the third time
10. Jesus is stripped of his garments
11. Crucifixion: Jesus is nailed to the cross
12. Jesus dies on the cross
13. Jesus is taken down from the cross (Deposition or Lamentation)
14. Jesus is laid in the tomb. (Schiller, 1972: 82)

When I visited one of the churches, I witnessed one such experience of the Stations of the
Cross. The Stations were observed within the church space. The devotion was conducted by
people making their way from one station to another and said a prayer each time, or by
having the Pastor move from cross to cross while the people made the responses. The stations
themselves consist of, fourteen wooden crosses, each representing scenes in Jesus life and
they were be blessed only by the Pastor who had the authority to erect the stations.

Apart from the usual practices undertaken, I was disallowed to participate in the communion
due to me not being confirmed formally by the church. My parents words of be careful of
the Christians resonated within me and I felt a slight bit disheartened as well.
Lent and Me
The way in which Lent was perceived and my personal experience was profound and had an
alarming effect on me as a human being. As a young adult, striving to seek and find answers
about life, God, purpose and inspiration is inescapable and vital. There was a welcoming
sensation associated with Lent and my respect for Christianity and the faith of its people had
escalated exponentially.

My search for the answers was becoming increasingly uncomplicated. The sensible
symbolism, amazing narration and history behind Lent, the rigorous rituals and probing
practices seemed to coincide with the multidimensional view of Religion. (Smart, 1996: 26)

On level ground, I found it humbling to draw a parallel amongst the different religions of
today. The fasts, the idea of a prophet or messenger, the honouring of traditions and even
the faith in people and God were all prevalent and outstanding. Not only had this period of
Lent exposed me to the issue of faith and instilling a method of discipline and order in ones
life, but also the positivity in growing the confidence and stature in you. Lent, in a sense, is
one of the powerful messages and lessons we stem from Religion that begins deep within
your soul.

Different religions fast for different reasons. Sometimes people fast because they believe that
suffering makes them closer to God. Fasting is believed to concentrate the mind on holy
thoughts.

Jews
Yom Kippur is the Day of Atonement when Jews believe they are punished for past
sins and can pray for the future. It is a solemn time when Jews feel they have to show
they want forgiveness for their sins by practising self-discipline. They do this by
fasting and praying.

Muslims
Ramadan is the month when Muslims fast from before sunrise to sunset. It remembers
the time when the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) received the first
revelation of the Qur'an, the Muslim holy book, from the Angel Jibril.

Hindus
Hindus fast at festivals and at other times to show devotion to the Hindu deities
(gods). They fast on certain days of the month such as Purnima (full moon) and
Ekadasi (the 11th day of the fortnight) and also on certain days of the week depending
on their favourite God and its special day.
(Barrow, 2014)

Such is the power of religion. The combination of Mythological/Historical reference to Jesus
and his life and the various Rituals that are done, feed into a holistic Lenten Religious
Experience. Many questions that were raised began answer itself and a functional nature was
adopted to allow man a platform to search for himself.

Conclusion
Prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Lent is about appreciating Christs gift of himself to us all,
and attempting to model that love into our existence. It is about reflecting on our lives and
realizing how small we are in comparison to the world at large as well as the significance we
hold towards one another. Lent is a season of penitence and abstention, something to be
endured. It feeds your soul, strengthens your spirit and renews your body. Furthermore, it is
about acknowledging our failures and seeking the Lords assistance in improving ourselves
so that we can become better people within ourselves and our community.

References
1. Barrow, M., 2014, When and What is Lent?, in Project Britain, viewed 10 April
2014 from http://www.projectbritain.com/lent.html.

2. Caluza, M. L., 2014, ACTS UKZN Howard College viewed 10 April 2014 from
https://www.facebook.com/groups/58674890936/permalink/10152267920245937/.

3. Doniger, W., 1999, Lent, in Merriam-Websters Encyclopaedia of World Religion,
Merriam-Webster Incorporated, Massachusetts, pp. 658.

4. Fairchild, M., 2014, What is Lent?, in About.com: Christianity, viewed 10 April
2014 from http://christianity.about.com/od/holidaytips/qt/whatislent.htm.

5. Meredith, S. & Hickman, C., 2006, The Usborne Encyclopaedia of World Religions,
Usborne Books, London.

6. Thompson J., 1995, Celebrate: Christian Festivals, Heinemann, Oxford.

7. Schiller, Gertrud, 1972, Iconography of Christian Art, Vol. II (English trans from
German), Lund Humphries, London.

8. Smart, N., 1996, Dimensions of the Sacred. Fontana Press, London.