The most important thing to remember during Lent is the 40 days Jesus fasted in the desert after his baptism. During this time, Jesus was tempted by Satan but resisted all temptations. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that "every year, through the 40-day season of Lent, we unite ourselves with the mystery of Jesus in the desert." A reporter for the Catholic Times offers some thoughts to keep in mind.
The number "40" is undoubtedly the first thing we encounter during Lent. "Lent" (Quadragesima) literally means "forty."
Lent, the period from Ash Wednesday to the evening Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday, is a time of penance, atonement, and prayer in preparation for the Easter Triduum, commemorating the Passion and Resurrection of Christ. This season is called "40" because, in the Bible, the number "40" symbolizes the period of purification we must endure before encountering God.
When God, disappointed by the fall of humanity, brought Noah aboard the ark and wiped out all living creatures from the earth, it rained for 40 days and nights. Similarly, the Israelites, after their Exodus from Egypt, paid the price for their disobedience to God for 40 years. Thus, the number "40" symbolizes a time of purification.
The prophets also used the number "40" when addressing God. Moses fasted for 40 days on Mount Sinai when he received the Ten Commandments, and Elijah walked for 40 days and nights to Horeb, the mountain of God.
Of the 40 days mentioned in the Bible, the one most worthy of our Lent is the 40 days Jesus fasted in the wilderness after his baptism. During this time, Jesus was tempted by Satan, the high priest who "has been tempted in every way, just as we are, yet without sin" (Hebrews 4:15), and overcame the tempter in the wilderness, foreshadowing his victory through his Passion.
Therefore, the Church teaches that "each year, through the 40-day season of Lent, we unite ourselves with the mystery of Jesus in the wilderness."
The 40-day Lent began to be established around the 4th century. During this period, believers practiced penance and asceticism through abstinence and fasting. However, the Lenten season observed by the Church today is strictly 44 days. This is because, around the 5th and 6th centuries, the four days between Ash Wednesday and the First Sunday of Lent were added.
This stemmed from believers' desire to fast for 40 days like Jesus. Since fasting on Sunday, the day of rejoicing in the Lord's resurrection, was not permitted, they sought to fast for six additional days during Lent. Adding Good Friday and Holy Saturday, the four additional days of fasting during the Easter Triduum, made for a total of 40 days of fasting before Easter.
Today, however, we face many changes that call for greater creativity in our penance.
The Church regulations are not complicated. Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. In addition, Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence.