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| Photo by The ORDER of The GOOD SHEPHERD+ Azaleas Hidden in the Woods |
The season known commonly as Lent in the Christian church calendar is the season of fasting and repenting of one's sins during a 40-day period preceding Holy Week and The Resurrection.
The word "lent" itself is from the German, according to Wikipedia, and it simply means "spring" ~ ~ ~ derived from the Germanic word "long" , relating to the "longer" days when springtime arrives after winter.
Thus, the word "lent" or "lenten" is a secular term and the name LENT has nothing to do with Christianity, in and of itself, nor does it even mean "repentance."
Therefore, we at the Order of the GOOD SHEPHERD+ have re-named this season of repentance with a term associated with What Happened at this season of the year in the ancient Holy Calendar: "Pre-Passover Preparations."
Repentance --- removing the old leaven as was commanded before the Passover Season --- is certainly the central theme of this important Christian season leading up to Holy Week.
During Holy Week, we remember Our LORD'S death and sacrifice for our transgressions, HIM+ being bruised for our iniquities. We remember the chastisement of our peace was upon HIM+, and that with HIS+ stripes --- not ours --- we are healed.
During this season in which we remove the old leaven of malice and wickedness, we search our hearts before GOD, asking HIM+ to show us areas hidden to our own deceitful hearts, areas where we need to repent.
It starts with Ash Wednesday, with the acknowledgement that WE INDEED ARE SINNERS... and have need of a SAVIOR+.
CHRIST OUR PASSOVER
IS SACRIFICED FOR US
THEREFORE, LET US KEEP THE FEAST.
Not with old leaven,
neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness
but with the un-leavened bread
of purity and Truth.
Let us search our hearts... beginning now.
