People encouraged to observe lent

YESTERDAY, Christians around the world begun their observance of the season of Lent.
Beginning on Ash Wednesday and lasting until the week before Easter Sunday, the Lenten season is 40 days (excluding Sundays).
This echoes the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness at the beginning of his ministry.
Many people have some idea that Lent is about giving things up, but they may not know much more than that.
Lent is not meant to be the dour season that we might imagine.
Lent began as a time to prepare for Easter celebrations, especially for those who were to be baptised.
Later, Lent was geared toward restoring those who had grievously sinned into the fellowship of the church.
In fact, the word Lent comes from an Old English word that means spring season.
Now, in our culture where most of us consume more than we need, the custom of self-denial can be helpful.
Again, it’s not about misery.
No one should give up something for Lent for the sake of misery itself. Misery is not God’s desire!
Instead, we might give things up that take us away from Jesus to make more room for those things that bring us closer to Jesus.
One might fast – that is, skip meals – to remind them self that meals are a gift from God.
In so doing, they am reminded that we depend on God, not on things.
In other words, giving things up can help one notice that it’s not all about themselves.
It has become more common to take things on for the season of Lent.
Many Buddhist monks and nuns abstain from food from noon to dawn, Muslims observe the month of Ramadan and many Christian traditions observe a month of restraint for Lent, which started yesterday.
Many of the fasts observed by these religions do not completely withhold any food and drink, but studies have shown observing periods of restraint around food can have health benefits, whether you do it for religious reasons or not.
Eating and digesting food takes a toll on the body, and taking the odd break from that can be a good thing, says Professor Amanda Salis, who researches severe energy restriction at the University of Sydney.
Research showed taking a break from eating can sometimes reduce risk factors for conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.
Some people might decide to read the Bible or pray more.
But we might also decide to focus on something like forgiveness.
How can we practice forgiving others? Who do we need to forgive? Lent begins on Ash Wednesday for Catholics as ashes are imposed with a solemn reminder, “Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return” or similar words.
While it sounds very unattractive, it is actually a reminder that our earthly life is very short.
If you have never tried out Lent, or if you grew up with Lent as a season of punishment, give Lent a try this year.
All Christians should take up the Lenten journey with enthusiasm, sustained by almsgiving, fasting and prayer.
You do not have to be a Catholic or to be part of Christian church that observes Lent to make your own journey through the season.
Lent can be for everyone.
It is, quite simply, a time to focus on how we can be better followers of Jesus.