By Babatunde Ayedoju

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One of the traditions of the church that have survived through many ages is the 40 days fast called Lent, which begins today. Ash Wednesday  officially marks the beginning of Lent. Early on Wednesday morning, Christian faithful will go to church for a solemn service where the priest will make a mark on their foreheads with ashes, which is a sign of soberness.

Also referred to as a period of sober reflection, Lent is a 40 days fast that lead to Easter, a festival that commemorates the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, from death. The last three Sundays before Ash Wednesday are called Septuagesima, Sexagesimal and Quinquagesima respectively. Ash Wednesday itself is three days about Quinquagesima Sunday.

Between Ash Wednesday and Easter, there are 47 days, seven of which are Sundays. Those Sundays are not fasting days. Therefore, the remaining 40 days are the days of fasting. The practice of Lent dates back to the early church, even though the believers in the Bible did not observe it. A school of thought believes that it started after the Nicene Council was convened. However, the annual Christian rite has undergone changes over the centuries.

During Lent, the church customarily abstains from ceremonies such as funeral, wedding and any other form of festivities. Also, services and other meetings are always very solemn. The last seven days of Lent make up the holy week which comprises Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. On those days, Christians commemorate the Triumphal Entry of Jesus to Jerusalem, Last Supper. Arrest of Jesus, and the crucifixion of Jesus respectively. Easter marks the resurrection of Jesus from death.

However, not all Christians observe Lent. Prosper Olumo, a youth/music minister at the  revival hour ministry, Kabba,  Kogi State said he knew Lent as a fast observed by some churches but said he knew nothing about it beyond that. Pastor John Oluwadamilola  of RCCG Plaza, Akure also said he knew nothing about the Lenten fast but was aware of fasting from the Bible.

The Hope spoke with some other Christian leaders about the origin and significance of the 40 days fast.

Venerable Jonathan Agunbiade, a senior clergyman at Saint Andrew’s Anglican Cathedral Church, Kabba, Kogi State  described Lent as a period of sober reflection, prayer and Bible study which leads to Easter. His words: “Lent starts with Ash Wednesday which is a service of Holy Communion and mark of Ash on the head. The priest shall say ‘you are from dust and you shall return to the dust.’

“Lent is the beginning of Passion week, leading to Easter which shows that Christ came to the world to die and His death was to save sinners from their sinful lives.”

He added: “Lent is a period of sober reflection, a time to pray, fast and study the word of God. When you fast and you don’t pray, that is what we call hunger strike, and it amounts to nothing. It is also a time to separate yourself from the crowd, reflect on your past and come closer to God.”

Venerable Joshua Olugbemi, another cleric from St. Andrew’s Cathedral Church, Kabba, Kogi State said: “Lent is a time of fasting and prayer which Jesus Christ did in the Bible for 40 days and we are following His example. At the beginning of His ministry, Christ fasted. Christians are using the Lent period to remember the Passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

“The period of lent strengthens and increases our faith in the Lord. It is a period we receive solutions to problems. Christians are, therefore, encouraged to fast and pray during lent.”

Reverend Canon Emmanuel Adebisi of Contemporary Cathedral Church, Kabba, Kogi State said: “The major significance of Lent is to show a life of soberness, taking our minds back to the One who died for us on the cross. It reminds us of what He passed through on our behalf. The major idea behind Lent is to call our minds back to repentance.”

Canon Adebisi stated that the practice of Lent to the early church, even though the apostles did not observe it. He also admonished Christians to focus their minds on Jesus at this period and live worthy Christian life.

Reverend Ebenezer Olajuyigbe of Grace Anglican Church, Alejolowo, Akure traced the origin of the 40 days Lenten fast to the 40 days fasting of Jesus Christ before He began His earthly ministry.

When asked why Christians observe Lent even though it is not in the Bible, Reverend Olajuyigbe said: “Christmas is not in the Bible and some people have even said Jesus was not born on December 25, yet we observe it because we feel it is necessary to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ who came to die for our sins.

“So also, Jesus fasted for 40 days and nights to mark the beginning of His ministry and Christians saw it as a good idea to observe Lent, after all, Jesus Himself said some situations cannot be handled except through prayer and fasting.

The cleric added: “Another major thing is the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus. So, fasting was targeted to fall within the period that leads to Easter.”

Reverend Olajuyigbe admonished Christian faithful not to take Lent as a mere yearly ritual but pray to get some blessings from it. His words: “Let’s have specific prayer points that we will offer to God and trust Him to grant answers to our requests.”

Pastor Reuben Benjamin Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Igbala, Ayetoju, Kabba, Kogi State said that the significance of Lent was to commemorate the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for mankind and he urged Christians to surrender their lives to Christ, ahead of His imminent second coming.