[P-Marlowe]

Just out of curiosity, what is the Biblical basis for Lent?

[blue-duncan]

"Just out of curiosity, what is the Biblical basis for Lent?"

It's the past tense of Luke 11:15. I lent three loaves of bread to my friend and remembered too late that there was no bread left in the house so I went without until my next paycheck which was about a month later. It's a little known gloss on the passage which came through some obscure Councils in the middle ages to become an urban legend.

[xzins]

The biblical basis for Lent is that Jesus intentionlly began his final journey toward Jerusalem

Matthew 20:17 And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them, 18 Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, 19 And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.

It is purely a Christian decision at this time of year to commemorate a period of 40 days leading to the crucifixion when Jesus began his march toward his sacrificial death.

We observe his sacrifice and determination by engaging in personal sacrifice....hopefully, sacrifice that makes a difference to ourselves spiritually and/or to our Christian mission.

(Buggman: doesn't this 40 days push us back to about the feast of Purim or slightly before?)

[Corin Stormhands]

While my knowledge of Catholicism is limited, I believe even the Catholic church acknowledges that it is based on early traditions.

Regardless, not all traditions are bad things. Surely you wouldn't suggest that there's a problem with a time of self-denial, reflection and prayer?

[Revelation 911]

not sure if there is one marlowe - its just my Catholic roots showing - I see this as a good time of year to rededicate and refocus my heart on Christ and His sacrifice through fasting, praying and abstianing from a few habits....

each pang reminds me of how little i suffer for the Lord - and yet its so hard isnt it ?

[uncitizen]

You asked for Biblical basis, not necessarily specific Scripture right? So here's my take on it.

Jesus wandered in the desert for 40 days and was continuously tempted by the devil. But he never gave into temptation. We Catholics are asked to be Christ-like and make a 40-day sacrifice which will be tempting for us and in succeeding at that we honor His purity and the ultimate sacrifice of His life for our sins.