Lent Questions

[The_Confused_1]

What do the ashes of ash wednesday symbolyze? Why 40 days? Is chiken ok to eat during fridays of lent? My parents seem to think so. I’m not too sure. Sorry for the demanding tone this might have. I’m in a hurry, Thanks in advance.

 

[jmcrae]

What do the ashes of ash wednesday symbolyze?

The ashes worn by the Ninevites when they repented of their sins after Jonah (who had previously been swallowed by a big fish - you may remember the story) preached to them. They fasted and prayed for forty days while wearing sack cloth and ashes, and then God forgave them of their sins.

You can read about them in the Book of Jonah, in the Old Testament.

Why 40 days?

Because of the 40 days that Jesus spent fasting and praying in the wilderness, just before He started His public ministry. You can read about that in Luke 4:1-15

Is chiken ok to eat during fridays of lent?

No. Chickens (like all birds) are warm-blooded land animals.

The only kind of meat we can eat is fish. Other than that, we can eat any kind of vegetables, and we can also eat eggs, jello, and cheese. But not chickens.

 

[Psalm45_9]

Ashes are a sign of penance and the beginning of a fast. You can find references to Ashes and sackcloth being adorned by penitents who were fasting and praying all over the Old Testament. Such as Jeremiah, Jonah, Esther, Judith, and Daniel. Isaiah also makes a reference to it, although he himself is not recorded doing it.

As for 40, in Judaism, this is considered the perfect number for preparation. We see the earth was purified for 40 days and nights by the waters of the great flood. We see that God gave the Ninevities 40 days to repent, and we see that our Lord fasted and prayed for 40 days before starting his public ministry. In the case of Lent we who have been baptized are preparing ourselves to renew our baptismal vows. I teach RCIA, my students are preparing to recieve the Easter Sacraments.