[Alex Murphy]

Then the superstitious observance of Lent had everywhere prevailed: for both the vulgar imagined that they thereby perform some excellent service to God, and pastors commended it as a holy imitation of Christ; though it is plain that Christ did not fast to set an example to others, but, by thus commencing the preaching of the gospel, meant to prove that his doctrine was not of men, but had come from heaven. And it is strange how men of acute judgment could fall into this gross delusion, which so many clear reasons refute: for Christ did not fast repeatedly (which he must have done had he meant to lay down a law for an anniversary fast), but once only, when preparing for the promulgation of the gospel. Nor does he fast after the manner of men, as he would have done had he meant to invite men to imitation; he rather gives an example, by which he may raise all to admire rather than study to imitate him....

....It was therefore merely false zeal, replete with superstition, which set up a fast under the title and pretext of imitating Christ.

And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,
that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
-- Matthew 6:16-18

[Religion Moderator]

The caucus label was removed because the article criticizes the beliefs of non-members of the caucus who have an interest in speaking for themselves.

[dangus]

You know, several Catholics on FR saw the doctrine-based caucuses as a way of making anti-Catholic assertions without being challenged. After nibbling at the bait myself, several of us convinced the others that challenging the caucuses really served no purpose, because there really wasn’t anyone who was interested in the Catholic position who didn’t recognize the censorship.

But this is either simply deliberate provocation, or testing the religion moderator.

[narses]

The Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God, the Son, Redeemer of the World, have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Son of the Eternal Father, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, formed in the womb of the Virgin Mother by the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, united substantially with the word of God, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, of infinite majesty, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, holy temple of God, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, tabernacle of the Most High, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, house of God and gate of heaven, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, glowing furnace of charity, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, vessel of justice and love, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, full of goodness and love, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, abyss of all virtues, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, most worthy of all praise, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, king and center of all hearts, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, in whom dwelleth all the fullness of the Divinity, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, in whom the Father is well pleased, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, of whose fullness we have all received, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, desire of the everlasting hills, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, patient and rich in mercy, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, rich to all who invoke Thee, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, fount of life and holiness, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, propitiation for our sins, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, saturated with revilings, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, crushed for our iniquities, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, made obedient unto death, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, pierced with a lance, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, source of all consolation, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, our life and resurrection, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, our peace and reconciliation, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, victim for our sins, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, salvation of those who hope in Thee, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, hope of those who die in Thee, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, delight of all saints, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord,
Lamb of God who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
V. Jesus, meek and humble of Heart.
R. Make our hearts like unto Thine.

Let us pray

Almighty and everlasting God, look upon the Heart of Thy well-beloved Son and upon the acts of praise and satisfaction which He renders unto Thee in the name of sinners; and do Thou, in Thy great goodness, grant pardon to them who seek Thy mercy, in the name of the same Thy Son, Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with Thee, world without end.

[dangus]

Any good Catholic is quite familiar with that passage from Matthew; it’s the gospel reading immediately prior to Lent. It’s also why I decided against giving up sugar for Lent several years ago; I had to explain myself so frequently that I decided I couldn’t do it without letting my left hand know what my right hand was doing.

Two weeks before lent is the week of the Publican and the Pharisee, wherein we’re reminded not to consider ourselves holy because of any pious practices we might do.

And I’m surprised at Calvin’s ignorance of the scriptures. Jesus fasted so much that they could count all his bones.

[sasportas]

I was just in southeast Louisiana, about 60 miles from New Orleans. It’s Marti Gras time there, the RCC lent festival. “Fat Tuesday.” A pastor there has a unique name for it, with all it’s debauchery and blatant homosexuality, he said it ought to be called Naughty Gras.

[dangus]

I had no idea Calvin was so ignorant of scriptures.

Sure, Jesus’ disciples didn’t fast: “Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?” (Mat 9:14), but Jesus answered that they WILL fast, once he is no longer among them in the flesh: “...but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast. (Mat 9:15b). That’s why he gave instructions about what to do WHEN THEY FAST: “Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.” (Mat 6:16).

And this did indeed continue when Jesus had left them: “Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished [them],” (Acts 27:8)

Jews did indeed fast twice a week, as do present-day Eastern Christians: “I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.” — Luke 18:12

There are also many occasions when prophets and pious leaders called for additional fasts:

“So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.” (Jon 3:5)

“Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly” (Joel 2:15)

“Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders [and] all the inhabitants of the land [into] the house of the LORD your God, and cry unto the LORD,” (Joel 1:14)

“And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.” (2 Cor 20:3)

“Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.” (Ezr 8:21)

“Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which [is] not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.” (Est 4:16)

[LiteKeeper]

I am curious...(and I agree with your assessment. There is good evidence that the practice of Lent is derived from the Mystery Religions of Babylon)...why do the “devout” participate in what I would call “symbolic fasting”? They give up little things like sugar, chocolate, or the Internet, etc. But there is no all out fast...just symbolism. It is almost tokenism...and seems quite superficial.

[dangus]

Thanks, guys. A good open doctrinal discussion like this always helps pull things to the fore of the mind. Now I’m all ginned up for fasting, tomorrow.

[r9etb]

It is remarkable that anyone who claims to be Reformed let alone a Calvinist would ever countenance the exercise of such corrupt and false piety as is called for by the idolatrous ‘Season of Lent.’

That just suggests that the author doesn't understand the purpose and utility of seasons of fasting and prayer. And that he's a prig.

[Salvation]

St. Andrew of Crete, Great Canon of Repentance - Tuesday's portion (Orthodox/Latin Caucus)

The Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete (Monday's portion) [Orth/Cath Caucus]
Penance and Reparation: A Lenten Meditation(Catholic/Orthodox Caucus)
For Lent - Top 10 Bible Verses on Penance
Cana Sunday: Entrance into Great Lent
2011 Catechetical Homily on the opening of Holy and Great Lent
8 Ways to Pray During Lent [Catholic/Orthodox Caucus]
Baptists, Lent, and the Reformation Rummage Sale
So What Shall We Do during These Forty Days of Lent? [Catholic/Orthodox Caucus]
Lenten Traditions (Catholic Caucus)
Are You Scrupulous? A Lenten Homily by John Cardinal O’Connor

Blow the Trumpet! Call the Assembly! The Blessings of Fasting
Lenten Challenges
Lent and the Catholic Business Professional (Interview)
Temptations Correspond to Our Vulnerabilities: Biblical Reflection for 1st Sunday of Lent
A Lenten “Weight” Loss Program
On the Lenten Season
Lent 2010: Pierce Thou My Heart, Love Crucified [Catholic Caucus]
US seminarians begin Lenten pilgrimage to Rome's ancient churches
Conversion "is going against the current" of an "illusory way of life"[Pope Benedict XVI for Lent]
vanity] Hope you all make a good Lent [Catholic Caucus]

Lent -- Easter 2010, Reflections, Prayer, Actions Day by Day
Stational Churches (Virtually visit one each day and pray)
40 Ways to Get the Most Out of Lent!
What to Give Up (for Lent)? The List
On the Spiritual Advantages of Fasting [Pope Clement XIII]
Christ's temptation and ours (Reflection for the First Sunday of Lent)
Pope Benedict XVI Message for Lent 2010 (Feb 15 = Ash Monday & Feb 17 = Ash Wednesday)
Whatever happened to (Lenten) obligations? [Prayer, Fasting, Almsgiving]Archbishop John Vlazny
Vatican Presents Lenten Website: LENT 2009
A Scriptural Way of the Cross with Meditations by Saint Alphonsus Liguori (Lenten Prayer/Devotional)
Prayer, Fasting and Mercy by St. Peter Chrysologus, Early Church Father [Catholic Caucus]

History of Lent (Did the Church always have this time before Easter?)
Beginning of Lent
Lent (Catholic Encyclopedia - Caucus Thread)
At Lent, let us pray for the Pope (Muslim converts ask us to pray for the pope)
Daily Lenten Reflections 2009
LENTEN STATIONS [Stational Churches for Lent] (Catholic Caucus)
40 Days for Life campaign is now under way (February 25 - April 5]
This Lent, live as if Jesus Christ is indeed Lord of your life
Reconciliation, forgiveness, hope – and Lent
Intro to Fast and Abstinence 101

Lent: Why the Christian Must Deny Himself (with Scriptural references)
40 Ways to Improve Your Lent
Everything Lent (Lots of links)
The Best Kind of Fasting
Getting Serious About Lent
Lent Overview
Meditations on the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ [Devotional]
On Lent... and Lourdes (Benedict XVI's Angelus address)
Lent for Newbies
Lent -- 2008 -- Come and Pray Each Day
Lent: Why the Christian Must Deny Himself

Lenten Workshop [lots of ideas for all]
Lent and Reality
Forty Days (of Lent) [Devotional/Reflections]
Pope Benedict takes his own advice, plans to go on retreat for Lent
GUIDE FOR LENT - What the Catholic Church Says
Message of His Holiness Benedict XVI for Lent 2008
40 Days for Life: 2008 Campaigns [Lent Registration this week]
Vatican Web Site Focuses on Lent
Almsgiving [Lent]
Conversion Through Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving [Lent]

Lenten Stations -- Stational Churches - visit each with us during Lent {Catholic Caucus}
Something New for Lent: Part I -- Holy Souls Saturdays
Reflections for Lent (February, March and April, 2007)
Lent 2007: The Love Letter Written by Pope Benedict
Pre-Lent through Easter Prayer and Reflections -- 2007
Stations of the Cross [Catholic/Orthodox Caucus]
For study and reflection during Lent - Mind, Heart, Soul [Catholic/Orthodox Caucus]
Ash Wednesday and the Lenten Fast-Family observance Lenten season [Catholic/Orthodox Caucus]
Pre-Lenten Days -- Family activities-Shrove Tuesday (Mardi Gras)[Catholic/Orthodox Caucus]
40 Ways to Get the Most Out of Lent! [Catholic/Orthodox Caucus]

Lenten Fasting or Feasting? [Catholic Caucus]
Pope's Message for Lent-2007
THE TRUE NATURE OF FASTING (Catholic/Orthodox Caucus)
The Triduum and 40 Days
The Three Practices of Lent: Praying, Fasting. Almsgiving
Why We Need Lent
MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVI FOR LENT 2006
Lent a Time for Renewal, Says Benedict XVI
Why You Should Celebrate Lent
Getting the Most Out of Lent

Lent: A Time to Fast >From Media and Criticism Says President of Pontifical Liturgical Institute
Give it up (making a Lenten sacrifice)
The History of Lent
The Holy Season of Lent -- Fast and Abstinence
The Holy Season of Lent -- The Stations of the Cross
Lent and Fasting
Mardi Gras' Catholic Roots [Shrove Tuesday]
Kids and Holiness: Making Lent Meaningful to Children
Ash Wednesday
All About Lent

[AnalogReigns]

I must admit that while I respect and admire John Calvin, he was certainly a man of his own time, dealing with the issues of that world--that is the excesses and sins of Medieval and Renaissance Roman Catholicism--which, are VERY DIFFERENT than the excesses and sins of our time. When pastors and others try to apply him directly--completely out of his historic context--Calvin gets a bad name.

Then the superstitious observance of Lent had everywhere prevailed:

I know of NO ONE today who superstitiously follows Lent. Few if any, even Roman Catholics do much special AT ALL for Lent today--unless "giving up chocolate" counts... Practice was very different in 16th Century Europe.

for both the vulgar imagined that they thereby perform some excellent service to God, and pastors commended it as a holy imitation of Christ;

Again, I've never heard pastors calling for fasting as some great service to God...or as if we could do "holy imitation of Christ;" must of been a Medieval thing.

though it is plain that Christ did not fast to set an example to others

And how, dear John, is that so "plain?" Many things Jesus did proved He was the Christ while simultaneously served as an example to us...example and proof are not logically mutually exclusive. Other parts of the New Testament(Acts 13:2,3; 14:23)--and even the words of Christ, "when you fast..." (Matt 6:16) prove that Jesus assumed we would indeed at certain times fast and pray.

him for , but, by thus commencing the preaching of the gospel, meant to prove that his doctrine was not of men, but had come from heaven. And it is strange how men of acute judgment could fall into this gross delusion, which so many clear reasons refute: for Christ did not fast repeatedly (which he must have done had he meant to lay down a law for an anniversary fast), but once only,

Actually, we don't know whether He fasted repeatedly or not...the Gospels don't tell us. Certain Jewish holidays require fasting every year--and we know Jesus was a fully observant Jew. We also do know at one exorcism, Jesus said that that only with "much prayer and fasting" was that kind of demon repulsed (Matt 17:21).

when preparing for the promulgation of the gospel. Nor does he fast after the manner of men, as he would have done had he meant to invite men to imitation; he rather gives an example, by which he may raise all to admire rather than study to imitate him. In short, the nature of his fast is not different from that which Moses observed when he received the law at the hand of the Lord (Exod. 24:18; 34:28). For, seeing that that miracle was performed in Moses to establish the law, it behoved not to be omitted in Christ, lest the gospel should seem inferior to the law. But from that day, it never occurred to any one, under pretence of imitating Moses, to set up a similar form of fast among the Israelites. Nor did any of the holy prophets and fathers follow it, though they had inclination and zeal enough for all pious exercises; for though it is said of Elijah that he passed forty days without meat and drink (1 Kings 19:8), this was merely in order that the people might recognise that he was raised up to maintain the law, from which almost the whole of Israel had revolted. It was therefore merely false zeal, replete with superstition, which set up a fast under the title and pretext of imitating Christ; (Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book IV, Ch. 12.20)

Evidently, Roman Catholic practice superstitiously called for some sort of onerous 40 day fast to 'prepare them for grace'...(that terrible Medieval "Pactum" of Works + Grace......). Granted, that was wrong.

How do Calvin's words apply to us today, when no one ever is called on to fast--no one is superficially asking us to 'prepare for grace' in this way during Lent, but the season DOES offer us a time--secretly, reflectively, according to the instruction of Christ Jesus--to secretly fast, pray, and meditate on His holy Word?

When it comes to Calvin's polemics--spoken to his time...vs. Scripture, I'll stick with Scripture.

John Calvin would expect no less.

[T Minus Four]

As a former Catholic, I at last have found a phrase that describes what I feel about Lent now: false piety

There's nothing really WRONG with what's going on, it's just so...unnecessary. If I have to have a special few weeks to be "extra devout", I'm doing it wrong.

Live 100% for Him every single day.

[Dr. Eckleburg]

CALVIN: 20. Then the superstitious observance of Lent had everywhere prevailed: for both the vulgar imagined that they thereby perform some excellent service to God, and pastors commended it as a holy imitation of Christ; though it is plain that Christ did not fast to set an example to others, but, by thus commencing the preaching of the gospel, meant to prove that his doctrine was not of men, but had come from heaven...

Amen, Alex. Great thread.

"A multitude of ceremonies in the mass is a form of Judaism quite contrary to Christianity." -- John Calvin

It really is the hardest thing in the world to convince men that NOTHING they do will earn them salvation. The only thing that saves Christ's sheep is His finished work on the cross, freely imputed to them according to the undeserved mercy of the Triune God.

[Uri’el-2012]

Since there is no scriptural support for the pagan feast
of Easter, any 40 day run up to the pagan feast is not
supported as well.

Easter was promulgated in 325 CE by the Pagan Pontiff
Constantine.

The Council of Nicea rejected the scriptural feasts
of YHvH replacing them with Sunday and Easter.

shalom b'SHEM Yah'shua HaMashiach

[Lera]

2Co 6:15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?