Lent is a different view

  Tradition! Tradition! Sings the Fiddler on the Roof. And no season holds more tradition for the majority of Christians than the period from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday. There are five main traditions within this period: Ash Wednesday (which is Wednesday February 13th this year); Lent (40 days till Easter not counting Sundays); Palm Sunday (Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem); Holy Week (includes Maundy Thursday [Last Supper] and Good Friday [Crucifixion] ending with Easter (Resurrection).
   Ash Wednesday : The ashes remind us at the beginning of Lent that none of us have ever done a great work in the church. If the world applauds you for your Christian work, humility helps us to remember that it was work was done by God.  We just happen to be the instrument of choice at that particular moment. The ultimate humility of the ashes is a gentle reminder that we are not Gods and therefore we do not know what is best for others. We leave that to be between them and their God. The final sign of humility associated with the ashes is the words ashes to ashes spoken at most funerals. They remind us that no matter what we think about how great we are, it doesn’t mean a thing at death. Only God controls that part of our lives.
   Lent: Lent is the only path to Easter. It is a special time for prayer, meditation and confession.  During this period many people will fast in some fashion or another during the forty days till Easter. Sundays are not included in Lenten practices. By the way Lent comes from a Middle English term “Lente” or “Springtime.” Hence this is a period of spiritual renewal.
  Palm Sunday: This is a day when we remember in humility how Jesus made a triumphant entry into Jerusalem. The same people, who later cried “Crucify Him!” were standing on the sides of the rode waving palm branches. The waved palm branches to honor royalty. The shouted Hosanna, which means God save us!
  Holy Week: We remember the last week of Jesus on Earth. On Maundy or Whits Thursday we remember the last supper in the upper room and Jesus washing the feet of the disciples. Friday is remembered as God’s Friday or Good Friday when Jesus was crucified. We believe he was the Passover Lamb for the whole world.
  Easter: This important season of tradition ends with celebrating the resurrection of Jesus, whom we declare to be the Christ.
  In summary we begin with humility, practice repentance and a renewal of our spiritual nature, experience the work and sufferings of Jesus, and end with a victory over death! It is a unique time and yes it is something we should do all year long. However, we are human and it is good to have special days during the year.