WHAT IS LENT REALLY ABOUT?

The word ‘lent’ originally came from the Saxon word ‘length’ and was used to denote spring time, henceforth the meaning behind the word originated from Jesus’ 40 days in the desert and we celebrate this season in spring. But what does ‘lent’ really mean and how is it celebrated? In local schools such as Gumley, the time of lent is spent in reflection and expressed through acts of kindness with daily masses in the chapel Bethany, and liturgies. This is what local Gumley girl Aoife Tobin had to say about lent.

“I think lent is about a time of reflection, reflecting on your friendships and actions, and understanding what Jesus went through in the desert. We do this by either giving up something or by giving up our time for others and this year I’m giving up all sweets, crisps, cakes and all things nice!”

The initial thoughts associated with lent are mostly of giving up either meat or chocolate, but that’s not all lent is about, yes, we tend to give up something as a way of remembering Jesus and what he went through but it can also be a time to take up something. Maybe something new, or a good deed you want to do, or even giving to charity, all these aspects of lent that we never really tent to think about.

“This year instead of giving up something I’m going to try something new and try and stick to it”, said Susan Moorhouse, the mother of a Gumley school girl, “it’s very hard to give up something you like or indulge in for 40 days, so this year I’m doing im doing something else.”

So, all in all lent can mean different things to different people, it is celebrated in different ways which are all equally as important and is a time for reflection and penitence. Young or old, lent is a special time for Christians when they prepare for the coming of Jesus in Easter.