Lent

40 Days of Fasting, Reflection, and Questioning My Life Choices

So, Lent is here, and as usual, I find myself wildly unprepared. Every year, I promise to plan ahead, be intentional, and really commit. And every year, Ash Wednesday sneaks up on me like a deadline I swore I had more time for. What am I giving up this time? No clue. But let me tell you what it’s not going to be—procrastination. Because if I gave that up, I’d have to overhaul my entire personality, and quite frankly, I don’t have the bandwidth for that level of self-improvement right now.

I do know I’m giving up red meat, which is a noble sacrifice considering my newfound love for pork. And before you come at me with judgmental side-eyes, let me clarify pork is white meat. Don’t argue with me—argue with Google. While I contemplate what else to give up (spoiler: probably nothing meaningful), let’s take a deep dive into what Lent is all about, why it lasts 40 days, and why every year, millions of people willingly sign up for a personal suffering challenge.

The 40-Day Fast: Jesus Did It First

For those who may have missed a few Sunday school classes (or zoned out during them), Lent is a major season in the Christian liturgical calendar. It’s observed by Catholics, Orthodox Christians, Anglicans, Lutherans, and some Protestant churches. Essentially, it’s 40 days of fasting, prayer, and self-reflection leading up to Easter. The inspiration? Jesus, who spent 40 days in the desert fasting while Satan tempted Him with all sorts of things—probably including carbs and an early exit. (Interestingly, this whole ordeal is recorded in all the Gospels except John. Why didn’t John include it? I don’t know. I wasn’t there.)

Lent officially starts on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday, which means it’s actually 46 days long—because Sundays don’t count in the fasting equation. Why? Because Sundays are meant to be mini-Easters, and nobody wants to fast on a cheat day. The exact dates shift every year since Easter follows the first Sunday after the first full moon post-vernal equinox (a formula that sounds like it was designed by ancient mathematicians just to keep us guessing).

Ash Wednesday: Walking Around with a Dirt Cross Like a Badge of Honor

Lent kicks off with Ash Wednesday, where many Christians receive ashes on their foreheads in the shape of a cross. The ashes, made from burned palm branches from the previous year’s Palm Sunday, symbolize two things: mortality (“remember that you are dust”) and repentance (“repent and believe in the gospel”). Translation? You’re going to die one day, so get your life together.

Fasting and Abstinence: Because Self-Control is Hard

Now, the real fun begins—fasting and abstinence. For Catholics (and some other Christians), this means eating only one full meal and two smaller meals that together don’t equal a full meal on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Also, no meat on Fridays. Some Christians take it further and give up specific indulgences, like sweets, alcohol, or social media. (If you’ve ever wondered why your overly opinionated cousin suddenly disappears from Facebook in March, this is why.)

Orthodox Christians follow an even stricter fast, avoiding meat, dairy, eggs, fish, oil, and wine on most days. Basically, if it tastes good, it’s off the table.

Prayer and Almsgiving: Doing More Good, Complaining Less

Lent isn’t just about suffering through your cravings; it’s also about deepening your spiritual life. This means extra prayer, Bible study, confession, or attending more church services. Almsgiving—aka charitable giving—is also a key part of Lent. It’s a time to help those in need, whether through donations, volunteering, or just being a decent human being.

Holy Week: The Grand Finale of Lent

The final week of Lent is Holy Week, and it’s a big deal.

• Palm Sunday: Celebrates Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. As a kid in Sunday school, this was the day to show up in your best shoes because you were guaranteed to be parading around like royalty.
• Maundy Thursday: Commemorates the Last Supper and Jesus washing His disciples’ feet. A humbling reminder that if Jesus could wash feet, maybe we should all chill with our egos.
• Good Friday: The solemn day of Jesus’ crucifixion.
• Holy Saturday: The day Jesus’ body lay in the tomb, marking the end of Lent.

At sundown on Holy Saturday, Lent officially ends, and Easter Sunday bursts onto the scene like a long-awaited season finale—celebrating the resurrection of Jesus.

Modern Twists on Lent: Because Times Have Changed

Not everyone sticks to traditional fasting these days. Some people fast from digital distractions (goodbye, Instagram), while others take on positive habits like volunteering, gratitude journaling, or—brace yourself—waking up on time. Even non-religious people have adopted Lent as a personal challenge, turning it into a 40-day self-improvement boot camp.

Speaking of the number 40, let’s give it a moment of appreciation. It’s kind of a big deal in the Bible: Jesus fasted for 40 days before launching His ministry, Moses fasted for 40 days on Mount Sinai, the Israelites wandered the desert for 40 years, and Noah’s flood lasted 40 days and nights. Basically, if something lasts 40 units of time in the Bible, it’s significant.

Lent Around the World: Because We All Observe Differently

Different cultures put their own spin on Lent. In Spain and Latin America, it’s marked by elaborate processions and reenactments of Jesus’ Passion. In Italy, some towns hold grand religious festivals (because Italians know how to do everything with flair). In the Philippines, some devout Catholics go as far as public flagellation (yes, really). Meanwhile, in Eastern Orthodox traditions, Lent starts on “Clean Monday” instead of Ash Wednesday.

So, Are You Doing Lent or Nah?

At its core, Lent is about repentance, discipline, and preparing for Easter. Whether you’re going full-on with fasting and prayer or just trying to limit your TikTok scrolling, the goal is the same—drawing closer to God and focusing on spiritual renewal.

So, what about you? Are you participating in Lent this year? And more importantly—what are you giving up? (If it’s procrastination, please teach me your ways.)

Abena