Lent 2025: A Primer
What is Lent?
We find ourselves in a time of preparation…it is Lent. Maybe you embrace this time of holy centering with the mantra, “Live, Laugh, Love, Lent!” Or are you more likely to mutter, "Die, Cry, Sigh. It’s Lent, again!”? Perhaps you shrug in uncertainty, not quite clear on what Lent truly is and how you are to live into Lent as a Christian – and in the Episcopal Church.
Let’s start here: Lent is a 40-day period of preparing spiritually – through lived experience and in the prayers and worship – as we approach the festival of Easter. This pattern of intentionality began with early Christians, dating back to at least 325 AD, who knew the deep meaning of Easter and wanted to be appropriately ready in body, mind, and spirit.
Why 40 days?
The length of Lent mirrors the time Jesus spent fasting in the desert and being tempted by the devil (Luke 4:1-14). Lent begins on Ash Wednesday through the Saturday before Easter (called Holy Saturday).
What are Lenten practices?
This is a season where Christians – primarily Roman Catholics, and some Protestant denominations, including Episcopalians – choose to change some of their habits to turn their hearts to God. These practices historically include prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. It is a time to seek stillness for reflection and to ask for forgiveness for our sins. Some may choose to read the Bible daily, let go of some patterns that are distracting, or make time to meet with a priest to make a private confession. None of these actions are necessary. Rather, these Lenten practices are suggested ways to deepen our relationship with God, so that when Easter comes, we more fully celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Do I have to be sad during Lent?
No! Lent can be a solemn time. It is a time for focus and feeling more grounded in Christian faith. Lent is not intended to be a time for wallowing in shame about our regrettable actions. Rather, it is a time both for rebuilding connection with God, and for simplifying the chaos that clutters our minds or fills us with unhealthy feelings.
What is Saint Stephen’s doing on Ash Wednesday?
Saint Stephen’s begins Lent with the observance of Ash Wednesday. During services at 7 a.m., 12:15 p.m., and 6:30 p.m., we bless ashes – burned palm leaves from the prior year – that are placed in the sign of a cross on our foreheads as the clergy say, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” In the Book of Common Prayer, we say that this black smudge is “a mark of our mortal nature”. We gather to pray and read Holy Scripture. And then, though we are deeply saddened as we remember our shortcomings, we approach the altar and receive Holy Eucharist – for Jesus calls all of us to feast on blessed bread and wine at the table in an assembly of saints and sinners alike.
What Lenten resources are available?
In addition to Saint Stephen’s programming on Wednesday evenings, we are offering a Lenten meditation booklet written by Jerusalem Jackson Greer through Episcopal Relief and Development. The theme of this work is “A Commonplace Lent” and she approaches these daily reflections through the scripture, “let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:24-25) You may access this booklet in a variety of ways. You may download the PDF, sign up to get daily emails, or get a printed copy at Saint Stephen’s to guide your prayers and reflections each day.
Saint Stephen’s clergy will continue to write reflections on Holy Scripture three days a week and can be read on our website.