I guess every ash Wednesday is the starting point for me to reflect about myself. Back in the biblical era, things are so different than nowadays, life is way more simpler then. Doing reflection can be way simpler because there's nothing much better to do.
From what I understand, ash Wednesday mark the beginning of the lent season, which was the story of Jesus going up to hill to start a long 40 days prayer. He knew he was going to be crucified, he desparately needed to make sure he knew what he was doing 😅 ok old christians don't kick my butt for how I explain things. This is my story, it is my imagination.
Why do modern Christians/ Catholics also practice abstinence during lent season? Some said, it was the diet that the new testament era practice. Remember Peter used to be the fisherman? And there's story about the miracle of five loaves and two fish. Land grown meat are just way too precious. So, abstinence become a limited choice of seafood and veges.
Of all that we know, is all about the "diet" of Lent. What I really learnt about Lent was what kind of "challenge" that we can throw to ourselves, after the "reflection". Technically, it's more like what can I give up, so I can be a better version of myself in 40 days.
Lent is not a season of diet control. This has nothing to do with losing weight and getting that perfect bikini body. It's a season of reflection. It's time to think of what to give up, so we can be a better version of ourselves, so we can detox our soul and be nearer to ourselves, be nearer to God. One day, we all gonna die and somehow go "back" to where we came from, just like going home. You want to wear your filthy slippers walking into your home? Or will you try to clean up as much mess as possible before you enter?
