Lent, Ash Wednesday and Holy Week

• The reviewer covers Ash Wednesday, the Season of Lent, Holy Week, Laetare and Gaudete Sunday, Repentance, and selected Gospels from Luke.

Ash Wednesday

• Marks the beginning of the Lenten season.
• Serves as a call to conversion, spiritual renewal, repentance, and change.
• Priests mark foreheads with ashes from palm leaves, symbolizing mortality ("we come from dust and will return to dust") and a call to repent and believe in the Gospel.

Season of Lent

• A 40-day period of the church year preceding Easter.
• Involves abstinence and fasting as preparation for Easter.
• It is a memorial of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
• Catholics over 14 are expected to abstain from certain things.
• Fasting is obligatory on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
• Penance is performed to show sorrow for sins.
• Laetare Sunday is the fourth Sunday of Lent.

Lenten Practices/3 Pillars

• Prayer: Communication with God.
• Fasting: Abstaining from food and beverages for a period of time.
• Almsgiving: Giving to others, including gifts, money, or care.

Holy Week

• The final week of Lent, starting on Palm Sunday and ending on Holy Saturday.

Days of Holy Week

• Palm Sunday: Marks the beginning of Holy Week.
• Holy Monday: Jesus cleansed the Temple.
• Holy Tuesday: Jesus confronted religious leaders and cursed the fig tree.
• Holy Wednesday (Spy Wednesday): Judas betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.
• Maundy Thursday: Commemorates the Last Supper and the Washing of Feet.
• Good Friday: Commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
• Holy Saturday (Black Saturday): Commemorates Jesus in His tomb.
• Easter Sunday: Commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Laetare and Gaudete Sunday

• Provide a break from the penitential focus of their respective seasons.
• They emphasize joy for the coming of Christ.
• "To Rejoice.”
• Laetare Sunday: The fourth Sunday of Lent.
• Gaudete Sunday: The third Sunday of Advent.

Repentance

• Focus on inner change: "Rend your heart, not your garment."

Gospels

Luke 4:1-13 - The Temptation of Jesus

• Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, was led into the wilderness for 40 days, where he was tempted by the devil.
• The devil tempted Jesus to turn stone into bread, offering Him authority and splendor over all the kingdoms of the world in exchange for worship.
• The devil challenged Jesus to throw Himself from the temple, citing scripture that angels would protect Him.
• Jesus responded to each temptation with scripture, rebuking the devil.

Luke 13:1-9 - The Parable of the Fig Tree

• Jesus speaks about the need for repentance, connecting it to the Galileans killed by Pilate and the eighteen who died when the tower of Siloam fell.
• A man planted a fig tree in his vineyard, which did not bear fruit
• The owner initially wants to cut the tree down, but the caretaker asks for another year to try and fertilize it. If it bears fruit the following year, good. If it does not, it will be cut down.
• The owner represents God, the caretaker represents Jesus, and the fig tree represents us.

Luke 9:28b-36 - The Transfiguration of Jesus

• Jesus took Peter, John, and James up a mountain to pray.
• While praying, Jesus' face changed, and His clothes became radiant.
• Moses and Elijah appeared, speaking with Jesus about His departure in Jerusalem.
• A cloud appeared, and a voice said, "This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him."

Luke 15:11-32 - The Parable of the Prodigal Son

• A man had two sons, and the younger son asked for his share of the estate.
• The younger son squandered his wealth in a distant country and, during a famine, became destitute.
• He returned to his father, confessing his sin and asking to be made a servant.
• The father welcomed him back with compassion, celebrating his return.
• The older son was resentful, but the father reminded him that everything he had was already his, and they should celebrate the return of his brother.