Lent

In its historical development, Lent was an outgrowth of the fasting prior to the annual observance of the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. In addition, those who were to be baptized into the Christian faith on Easter Sunday underwent a period of disciplined training before their baptism. With the ascendancy of the Christian Church in major areas of the Roman Empire during the fourth century, a new problem was encountered. Discipline was no longer imposed upon the church from the outside in the form of persecution and other legal restrictions. The church now had to maintain commitment through its own spiritual ordering. As a consequence, the period of disciplined training for catechumens was expanded to include all church members.

However, Lent as a season of church discipline soo…