Ash Wednesday next week will mark the beginning of Lent, with many faithful being marked themselves. The imposition of ashes in the sign of a cross on one’s forehead is a take on Old Testament references to ashes or dust being used in times of mourning or repentance.
The Lenten season is the 40 days, not counting Sundays, before Easter to follow Jesus Christ’s days in the desert before his crucifixion.
Catholics and some protestant faiths are encouraged to use the time as a way to become closer to God.
“The real key to our Lenten season is restoring our relationship with the Lord,” said the Rev. John Connell, pastor of St. Raphael Catholic Church in Springdale.
He said there are four key components to observing Lent:
Abstinence - refraining from meat on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
Fasting on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday - partaking in only one full meal and partial meals at the other hours.
Turning from sin and make reparations to God for our sins - frequently takes the form of giving up one’s “favorite addictions, sweets, TV, coffee, soft drinks, etc.”
Penance - includes prayer, acts of self-denial, making the way of the cross, works of mercy such as visiting the sick or feeding the hungry.
Connell said the first two, abstinence and fasting, are required for Catholics over the age of 14, and the second two are “optional but highly recommended.”
Parishioners at St. Raphael are invited to participate in the parish’s Lenten missions “We Walk by Faith” March 11-14 in English and “An Invitation to Know Christ” March 18-21 in Spanish.
The nightly retreat led by the Rev. Jim Ward will begin with Mass at 6 p.m. followed by a one-hour mission talk.
Other Lenten offerings include weekly Stations of the Cross each Friday beginning Feb. 15.
Stations of the Cross consist of 14 stations that represent Christ’s path to crucifixion, beginning with his condemnation and culminating with his being laid in the tomb.
A corresponding prayer is said at each station.
On Good Friday, March 29, the church will have a live way of the cross, with actors portraying Jesus and his persecutors and followers.
The Rev. Darrell Johnson, pastor of United Lutheran Church in Bella Vista, said the church is “putting great emphasis to giving to world hunger needs.”
One project, Baskets of Need, will encourage parishioners to each bring a particular item to Sunday services during Lent. For example, items to bring will be a bar of soap one week, then a toothbrush and comb in the following weeks.
“We encourage giving of ourselves rather than giving something up. But if we do these things, we are giving something up” such as time, money or gifts.
The church will offer a Lenten series, “The Lenten Journey: Beyond Question,” that will focus on the questions Jesus asked throughout his ministry.
The first at 6:15 p.m. Ash Wednesday will address “What are you looking for ?”Subsequent Wednesday services will include “Where is your faith?” and “Who do you say that I am?”
Johnson said often it’s not about the answer, but “knowing the right question.”
Religion, Pages 6 on 02/09/2013