Marking Time: Forming Spirituality through the Christian Year

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Mark i ng T ime : Formi ng Sp i r i tua l i t y through the Chr i s t i an Year

B. The Cycle of Life: Lent-Easter-Pentecost

1. Lent : A time for reflection on the suffering and death of Jesus. Lent also emphasizes “death to self” so that, like Jesus, we prepare ourselves to obey God no matter what sacrifice it involves. Lenten observance calls for people to fast as a way of affirming this attitude of obedience (Luke 5.35; 1 Cor. 9.27; 2 Tim. 2.4; Heb. 11.1-3).

2. Holy Week

a. Palm Sunday . The Sunday before Easter which commemorates the Triumphal Entry of Christ (John 12.12-18)

b. Maundy Thursday . The Thursday before Easter which commemorates the giving of the New Commandment and the Lord’s Supper prior to Christ’s Death (Mark 14.12-26; John 13)

c. Good Friday . The Friday before Easter which commemorates the crucifixion of Christ (John 18-19)

3. Easter Sunday . The Sunday which celebrates the resurrection of Christ (John 20)

4. Ascension Day : Celebrates the Ascension of Christ to heaven at which time God “seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come” (Eph. 1.20b-21; 1 Pet. 3.22; Luke 24.17-53).