聖經問答: 預苦節 Lent 是什麼？

聖經問答 Podcast

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弟兄姊妹平安，今天 (14th Feb 2024) 是 Ash Wednesday, 聖灰星期三，這一天是兩大重要的基督教傳統，Lent 預苦期的開始，是在復活節前的四十天開始的 (其中六個主日不計算在內)。英文的Lent也是叫做四旬期，四十這個數字在聖經中很常出現。創世記中，大雨下了四十晝夜，在出埃及記中，有摩西上山四十天領受上帝的律法。以色列人在曠野四十年，經歷上帝的淬煉。也紀念四十天內主耶穌在曠野中禁食祈禱，最後用上帝的話語勝過了魔鬼的試探。還有主耶穌基督在復活後，與門徒相處了四十天，直到聖靈降臨，門徒領受大使命，開始傳揚福音。

四十這個數字，似乎是上帝挑選來表達預備苦難的一個數字。用在復活節前的這一段時候，也成了教會的重要傳統之一。

在基督教會中，這段期間非常重要。許多天主教徒會實行嚴格的禁食，例如一天只吃一餐，或者在這段時間許下誓言不吃或不用某些事物。這是一個紀念的時刻，目的是鼓勵信徒紀念主耶穌基督在復活節前的經歷，以及他為我們走上十字架的道路。四旬節是一個極佳的自我反省和懺悔的時期，讓我們反省自己的罪孽，並重新思考並悔改，回到主面前。通常，信徒在四旬節中會做一些預備工作，如禁食、祈禱、施與，或反省和補贖。

如果你願意的話，當然可以進行禁食，額外禱告，或增加奉獻這些來更加提醒自己的耶穌為我們獻上的一切。藉著感受飢餓，來體會別人的飢餓，藉著把吃喝玩樂的金錢額外奉獻出來，體會貧窮的人的困難，藉著一些身體的行為來操練靈性。提醒彼此儉樸度日，努力讀聖經，恆切禱告。在四旬節的過程中，信徒尋求的不僅僅是肉體上的自我節制，更重要的是靈性上的成長和轉化。這段時間的結束標誌著復活節的到來，象徵著新生命和希望的開始，讓人感受到上帝的恩典和救贖的大能。

今天就是Ash Wednesday, 讓我們一同來紀念預苦節的開始。

Dear brothers and sisters, Peace be with you. Today marks Ash Wednesday, the beginning of two significant Christian traditions: Lent, the season of preparation, which lasts forty days (excluding Sundays) leading up to Easter. Lent is also known as the forty days, a number frequently referenced in the Bible. In Genesis, it rained for forty days and nights; in Exodus, Moses spent forty days receiving God's law on Mount Sinai. The Israelites wandered in the wilderness for forty years, undergoing God's refining process. Additionally, we commemorate Jesus' forty days of fasting and prayer in the wilderness, where He overcame the devil's temptations with the word of God. After His resurrection, Jesus spent forty days with His disciples before the Holy Spirit descended upon them, commissioning them to spread the Gospel.

The number forty seems to symbolize preparation for trial chosen by God. Applied to the period preceding Easter, it has become one of the church's significant traditions.

During this period, many Catholics observe strict fasting, such as consuming only one meal a day or making vows to abstain from certain foods or activities. This time serves as a moment of remembrance, encouraging believers to reflect on Jesus Christ's experiences before Easter and His journey to the cross for our salvation. Lent is an excellent time for self-examination and repentance, prompting us to reflect on our sins, rethink our ways, and return to the Lord. Typically, believers engage in preparatory activities during Lent, including fasting, prayer, almsgiving, reflection, and repentance.

If you're willing, you can observe fasting, increase prayer, or give extra offerings to remind yourself of the sacrifices Jesus made for us. By experiencing hunger, we can empathize with those in need. By giving extra money from indulgences, we can understand the difficulties of the poor. By practicing certain physical disciplines, we can train our spirits. Let's remind each other to live simply, diligently read the Bible, and pray continually.

During Lent, believers seek not only physical self-restraint but also spiritual growth and transformation. The conclusion of this period marks the arrival of Easter, symbolizing the beginning of new life and hope, allowing us to experience the power of God's grace and redemption.