

In the Lord's Prayer, the clause "Lead us not into temptation" is a humble, trusting petition for God's help to enable us to overcome temptation when at the same time God allows us to experience the allurements of evil so we can use prayer and watchfulness as our chief weapons against temptation. (Wikipedia – Lent)Apparently, we learned about this fight from temptation from Jesus. Seems like another good reason for the idea behind Lent. On Ash Wednesday, for example, we mark our foreheads with ash symbolizing sorrow and mourning over sin. Mourning in ashes is found in 2 Samuel 13:19; Esther 4:1; Job 2:8; Daniel 9:3; and Matthew 11:21. Often times during Lent, we will give up a habit or a specific behavior during Lent as a prayerful exercise in self-denial. This could be as simple as giving up swearing, drinking, smoking, or even chocolate or it could be as rigorous as fasting. There are several devotional activities offered during Lent, including daily Scripture readings (from the Bible), regular daily prayers for a specific person we know suffering during Lent, Stations of the Cross, or even participating in volunteer work. There are specific traditions followed during Holy Week that are all prayerful preparations for recognizing Christ’s suffering and Crucifixion. Observing Lent is personal in how you choose to participate. Whether we choose to observe Lent in a small way or participate in all the prayer-filled options, it is amazing what happens when we devote time to reflect on Jesus Christ’s suffering and his Word during Lent. I say, "Lent! Bring it on, my fellow Catholics and Christians." It will be worth the investment of time to remind us all why Easter is to be celebrated.
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. (1 Corinthians 15:3–8)
Copyright 2019 Catherine Mendenhall-Baugh
About the Author

Catherine Mendenhall-Baugh
Catherine Mendenhall-Baugh (Cathy) completed her education in Special Education and English and now works as an Agent in the Insurance Industry. A mother and Grandmother, Cathy grew up in a large Catholic family and has spent the last 30 years as a caregiver for her husband, Jack. She is a cancer survivor, which inspired her to begin writing.
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