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This book, A Hunger for God,
is a great wake-up call to realization that fasting is more than just not eating. |
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The celebration of Lent occurs 40 days (42 days for Eastern churches) before Easter. It is a period of Fasting and repentance for Christians in preparation for the day of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is generally thought to last for forty days in commemoration of Christ's forty day fast between the period of his baptism and public ministry. However, the Latin word for Lent, Quadragesima, originally meant forty hours, not forty days. This referred to the forty hours of complete fasting which preceded Easter ceremonies in the early church. Later the period was extended to include Good Friday then to a six day period corresponding to a training period for baptismal candidates. Finally, it was fixed to a six week period or 40 days (not including Sundays and rounded from 36 days to 40).
Today, it is a demonstration of obedience, abstinence, and charity. Especially for Roman Catholics, fasting is encouraged on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Proceeds from the fast are intended for the poor. On each Friday during the Lenten period, they are asked to refrain from eating meat. Additionally, some people self-deny themselves of other habits as a show of obedience.
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