As thousands of Catholics line up to receive the sign of the cross in ashes on Wednesday to mark the start of Lent, more Protestants are joining the tradition to observe Easter more meaningfully.
The 40-day season of Lent – a period of fasting and prayer that precedes Easter – is largely observed by Roman Catholics. Although some mainline Protestant denominations, including Anglicans and Episcopalians, continue to devoutly follow the tradition, Lent is not typically observed in evangelical churches.
"Easter is huge in evangelical churches," but they do not observe "Lent as Lent," noted the Rev. Sam Shaw of Hope Church in Tupelo, Mo., according to the Daily Journal.
Still, "Easter must have preparation," Shaw said. And some non-liturgical churches are embracing Lenten disciplines.
"There is a trend ... toward more sacramental forms and it is not surprising to see the recovery of imposition of ashes on Ash Wednesday," said the Rev. Daniel K. Dunlap, vice president of Houston Graduate School of Theology and a liturgy expert, according to the Houston Chronicle.
The Rev. Jeremy Rutledge, pastor of Covenant Baptist Church in Houston, said he will administer ashes at a service Wednesday night, as reported by the local Chronicle.
Most Baptists do not observe Lent. Many of them prepare for Easter by contemplating on the Word rather than through ritual, said the Rev. Kermit McGregor of Calvary Baptist Church in Missouri, as reported by the Daily Journal.
But McGregor, along with many Baptists, finds value in Lenten disciplines such as fasting, which many do to identify with Christ's sacrifice.
Fasting is "a great way to focus and to enter more deeply into prayer," he said.
Mark Batterson, lead pastor of the nondenominational National Community Church in Washington, D.C., started observing Lent a few years ago. This year, he's fasting television for 40 days with his son and is planning to pray and read Scripture daily.
"It (observing Lent) has made Easter so much more meaningful," Batterson wrote on his Web log. "I feel like I'm preparing myself spiritually to re-experience the crucifixion and resurrection."
This year's Lent begins Feb. 6, the earliest since 1913 when Lent started on Feb. 5. Easter falls on March 23.
Comments
Hey Prophet, I always enjoy seeing how Protestants who love the same bible I do, tend to focus the Bible on themselves. You know, like when Jesus spoke to Peter and gave him the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven and promised Peter an infallible guide of the Holy Spirit in Matt 16-19. I think it is actually funny that you think Jesus was speaking to you individually and that you received the Holy Spirit to lead you into all truth, if that was the case then how can so many people be led by the Holy Spirit in the wrong direction? The Holy Spirit is a God of clarity and Truth not of confusion and man-made doctrines.
You want a bible lesson on why Catholicism is historically and biblically the only Christian Church that Jesus founded and that only the Catholic Church has the gift of infallibility in the office of the Bishop of Rome, then let this former Calvinist/Baptists minister who is now a born again Catholic help you out. I know Scripture and taught Scripture and was a Pastor and now I have found the fullness of Truth in the Catholic Church. While there are a lot of uneducated Catholics coming into Protestant and evangelical churches, there just as many going the opposite way to the Catholic Church. The biggest difference is that it has been recently the best and brightest of the Protestants and Evangelicals who have become Catholic. After searching the truth and what the Church looked like in the first few centuries you will find it was Catholic. You will find it was Catholic in the hiearchy; Bishop, Priest, Deacon. You will find it was Sacramentally Catholic; Eucharist(Communion), forgiveness of sins by a Priest, holy orders, marriage, first communion, Baptism and confirmation. You will find it was Catholic in the way they prayed; for the dead, through the intercession of others, of saints and especially the Virgin Mary. Remember, pray means to ask it doesn't mean to worship.
Any other question?
Non-Catholic Christians like Baptists, Calvinists and many others have much of the Truth, but they don't have the fullness. I accept them as sepparated brothers in Christ, but Protestants as a whole hold to man made traditions more than Catholics. Catholic Tradition came from Jesus and the Apostles.
And I still don't get it why Jesus was talking to all of us when He was speaking to John and Mary at the cross, but yet, speaking to Peter only when He told Him he would deny Him three times.
And we non-Catholics have the benefit of the infallible Spirit of God help us, which Jesus said would lead us into all truth. Sorry, I don't base my relationship with God, and His truth, on what a church says. From my experience with many Catholics, the Catholic church is like the blind leading the blind. Many Catholics don't even open their Bibles except when in Mass, if even then. There is one Catholic on here that I've debated over and over. And he's very adamant about his stand, too! He constantly quotes what the "Church" says, but can't even find his Bible to back up his claims.
I wish more Catholics would actually study the Bible to see if what is being taught actually lines up with the Word of God.
Yes. I couldn't agree with you more. You absolutely do have to use common sense! And also we Catholics have the added benefit of having the Church help us which as I said before St. Paul told Timothy was "the pillar and ground of the truth." I still don't get it though why was Jesus talking to all of us when he was talking to Peter and only talking to John when he was on the cross? I'm sorry but it sounds to me like there's a little inconsistency in your interpretations just as you're trying to tell me there is in mine. Sorry I have Bible study tonight and I leave for my trip first thing in the morning so most likely you won't be hearing back from me.
“Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother” (Mt 12:47-50).
Jesus is strongly rebuking those who invoke the Mary of Rome as the Holy Mother of God, Mother of our Creator, Mother of divine grace, Mother of good Counsel, and Mother most admirable. May all who are bound in this false doctrine see the biblical truth, and reject this false teaching from papal Rome.
If we were to take that scripture to heart, why doesn't the RCC teach that John is our son?
"Why do you take that one that way but not others?"
Why do you?
Not everythiing that Jesus said can be directed at us. Such as when He told Peter that before the rooster crowed, Peter would deny Him three times. Or when He was speaking to Peter and then told Satan to get behind Him. Or when He was talking to the Samaritan woman at the well. Or when He was speaking to John and Mary. Discernment and common sense are required.
Why wasn't he talking to you when he talked to John on the cross?
Why do you take that one that way but not others?
I take that scripture the way you told me to. He's speaking to me.
He wasn't JUST talking to Peter and no Catholic who knows their faith would tell you that. Like I said, I believe scripture can be interpreted MANY ways. There are many, many, many layers to scripture and the Catholic Church believes that too. Yes, Jesus will build his Church upon the Rock of Peter and all of his successors. Like I said there is a very specific meaning at the time to the people he is speaking to but it also can be interpreted in others ways too. So you think Jesus was saying "Upon this church I will build my church?" So how do you interpret scripture anyway?
mom,
You didn't answer my question. You merely circumvented it. You seem quite okay with claiming that the words Jesus said to Mary and John were also meant for us, but you balk at saying that when I ask about Jesus' comment to Peter.
I have debated some with Catholics, but it's mostly that I study the Word (not just read it) and understand it. But I do know for a fact that Catholics believe that the comment by Jesus directed to Peter about "Upon this rock I will build my kingdom", is directed SOLELY to Peter. Whereas, the protestants believe that Jesus was talking about us, the church. And then you said that EVERYTHING Jesus said is directed at us today. That is a contradiction.
My question required only a yes or a no. It was not an essay question.
Well, it seems I have constantly been answering your questions and you haven't answered mine but I will answer another one. I believe the Bible is not like a History book that you just read and that's it. I believe there are many, many layers to scripture and we could read it a million times and that God can speak to us and show us something new every time. So I believe there are several ways to interpret it. What Jesus meant right at that time to that person, what he meant in the near future and what he meant from that time on until his coming again. Of course you have to take into consideration what the authors intention was when he was writing also. So yes, I do believe Peter is the rock that Jesus will build his Church on. But Jesus is the Rock of our salvation and Jesus is the builder of His Church no mere man. Anyway, it sounds like you are a pro at arguing with Catholics and have all your lines planned out. But now that I answered your question will you answer mine? How do you interpret scripture? Thank you for the prayers I do appreciate it. I hate to fly and need all the prayer I can get!!
I would like it if you answered my question. Thanks. Enjoy your vacation. I pray God keeps you safe.
I would appreciate it if you answered the question. I know my answer to the question but I would like to hear yours. I will be leaving on vacation soon and won't be able to respond for awhile but I would appreciate hearing you answer to the question.