The Final Day of Lent: Understanding the Significance of Holy Thursday
As Christians across the world prepare to celebrate Easter, many are marking the end of the 40-day season of prayer and fasting known as Lent. According to USA Today, this year’s Lent began on Wednesday, March 5, and will come to a close on Thursday, April 17, also known as Holy Thursday.
The tradition of Lent dates back to 601 AD, when Pope Gregory, the 64th leader of the Catholic Church, cemented it as a permanent tradition, as reported by the USA Today, citing the Museum of the Bible. Initially, Lent lasted 46 days, consisting of 40 days of fasting, with only one meal allowed, and no meat, except for six Sundays considered "feast days." Today, Christians and Catholics worldwide continue to observe Lent, with many choosing to give up certain foods or behaviors throughout the duration.
The 40-day period of Lent represents the 40 days that Jesus spent fasting and praying in the desert before starting his public ministry, as USA Today explains. Fasting during Lent is a form of penance, expressing sorrow and contrition for wrongdoing, and indicating a desire to turn away from sin and turn back to God. The Archdiocese of Saint Paul & Minneapolis notes that "abstinence is a form of penance. Penance expresses sorrow and contrition for our wrongdoing, indicates our intention to turn away from sin and turn back to God."
During Lent, some worshipers abstain from eating flesh meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and each Friday. This is done to honor Jesus sacrificing his flesh on Good Friday, according to the Archdiocese of Saint Paul & Minneapolis, as reported by USA Today. Flesh meat includes beef, pork, chicken, and turkey, while fish are not considered flesh meat. Non-flesh products, like milk, cheese, butter, and eggs, are not prohibited during Lent.
The ash cross smudged on worshipers’ foreheads during Ash Wednesday represents that a person belongs to Jesus Christ and that they are grieving and mourning for their sins, as USA Today notes. This tradition marks the beginning of Lent, a period of solemn observance that ends on Easter Sunday.
As Christians prepare to celebrate Easter, many will be marking the end of Lent on Holy Thursday. This significant day marks the conclusion of a period of prayer, fasting, and reflection, and serves as a reminder of the importance of faith and devotion. As USA Today reports, the tradition of Lent continues to be an essential part of Christian practice, with millions of people around the world observing this sacred period.
The significance of Lent and its traditions are further explained by USA Today, which highlights the importance of this period of spiritual reflection and growth. As the final day of Lent approaches, Christians will come together to mark the end of this significant period and prepare for the celebration of Easter.
In an interview with USA Today, religious leaders and practitioners alike have emphasized the importance of Lent as a time for spiritual reflection, growth, and renewal. As the Christian community comes together to observe this sacred period, the final day of Lent serves as a poignant reminder of the power of faith and devotion.
The reporting for this article was contributed by Dwight Adams and Aaron A. Bedoya, El Paso Times, and John Bacon, USA Today.
