Sacred Heart Christian community prepares for Lent

Traditionally, Lent is celebrated by the Catholic church in commemoration of Christ’s passion, death and resurrection. It begins during Ash Wednesday and ends on Good Friday. Like the other Christian communities, Sacred Heart, situated at Gulf View Executive Homes, Bago Aplaya Davao City, is doing the same preparation. Everyone has his/her own reason of participating.

For sister Victoria P. Diaz, a 77-year-old widow, with her ten children, Lent is the best time for everyone to have a “pause” and repent for everything she/he has done wrong. She further added that, “we need to participate in various church activities. According to Rev. Fr. Nilo Mapaye, SVD, during our interview when he celebrated a holy mass at our chapel last Sunday March 3, “it is the best preparation to recollect our shortcomings.” He further stressed that, “people should observe the true meaning of reconciliation with our Lord.” Fr. Nilo cited the story of the Prodigal Son who honestly went back to his father after realizing that he was wrong. He further added that a true reflection must be observed within 40 days of this celebration.

In many denominations, Lent is celebrated in forty days, commemorating Christ’s sacrifices, death and resurrection. During this time, we are tested of our discipline by fasting, praying and reconciling with our Lord. We also abstain from eating some prohibited food such as meat, chocolates, caffeine and others. Like Jesus who fasted for forty days and nights in the desert. During this time, Satan appeared to temp Jesus, but He refused the temptation and went back to Galilee and begun His teachings instead.

According to Church historian Fr. Norman Tanner SJ, Lent has changed between the Council of Nicaea in the 4th Century and the Second Vatican Council. In here, it began from the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD which is best known for the profession of faith with its “Nicene Creed” and being recited in most parishes every Sunday after the homily. The second council also issued twenty canons of church life which is the Lent.

Lent in Greek word is Tessarakonta, which means “forty”. It is the first time in the history that Easter Sunday is used to celebrate Christ’s resurrection. Eventually, various Christian communities adopted the Holy Week – as the most important part of Lent. Later, the evolution of different word for lent includes: Quaresima deriving from quaranta (forty) in Italian; Cuaresma coming from cuarenta in Spanish; Careme deriving from quarente in France. From the early English “lengthen” comes at a time when the hours or daytime are “lengthening”, as spring approaches, and so a time can be “lengthen” spiritually, when we can stretch out and grow in the Spirit.

As commonly observed today, Lent is a time of spiritual preparation in many ways. Some believers participate with the Church activities or of their own personal reconciliation with our Creator which they do in their own way. On holy week, others went on climbing the highest peak mountain or went on a vacation for their celebration. (Edgar V. Floresca)