Lent is Spring - Cleaning for the Soul

A Survey of the Spring Rituals amongst the Christians

The word 'Lent' comes from an old English word Lencten, simply meaning 'season of spring'. The forty days before Resurrection Sunday (Easter), the day the crucified Jesus rose from the dead, is the season of Lent. It is a time when Christians are to turn or recommit their lives to Christ. In Lent, one is to take responsibility for and seek repentance for sinful acts and thoughts. It is a time to give up something (traditionally, meat) during a period of fasting. At this time, the fasting, alms giving and prayers are ancient penitential practices, which remain as rich and life giving today, as they were 2000 years ago when practiced by the early Christians and by our Jewish forebears. The season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, and Carnival begins the Tuesday before, known as Fat Tuesday.

Fr. Albert J. Nix has to say the following about Lent: "The Lenten journey begins with ashes from the earth, thus marking a radical change in our thoughts, not so much about the world but ourselves. When we change, we get a new perspective on the world. It is like the man who bemoaned the end of the world; his friend assured him he could get on fine without it. This is not so much a season for giving up but for taking on….not about things to do but ways of being. Spring-Lent challenges us to take ourselves to task. For this stocktaking, we must return to the earth. In this context, 'humility' is an interesting word. It comes from the word 'humus' meaning earth. In truth, we remember we are but dust. Lent is a time to remember that dust and earth are fashionable. The master potter gives us this season to reshape and remold us. But our effort is also needed."

As Carnival celebrations migrated around the world with Christianity, host countries began to introduce their own indigenous cultures and activities into the celebrations, resulting in a variety of traditions. In New Orleans, Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday translated from the French) celebrations feature Jazz. In Brazil the celebrations mix Portuguese and Amazon culture, Mexican heritage is highlighted in San Francisco, and in Oakland, California, Carajama features soul food. They all feature scantly clad dancers in colorful and extravagant costumes, living the life fantastic, gyrating to African influenced drumming and other exotic music from around the world.