Lent Time Religion

Catholic Missionaries, such as Junipero Serra, made it possible for Catholicism to reach various parts of the world including what is now the United States of America. Although religion tends to play a dominant role within the lives of its members, I did not witness this at the service I attended. Yes, the Bishop encouraged his people to think of Jesus before making certain decisions, but this was also encouraged at the church I went to as a child and just in everyday life in general. One unique practice Catholics participate in is Lent. This practice begins on Ash Wednesday and ends right before Easter Sunday. During this period members sacrifice one thing to God and spiritually reflect on their lives (Kale). Although there is more to this practice than just sacrifice, I highlighted this particular aspect because it is practiced in numerous religions such as, but not limited to: Islam, Methodist, and Eastern Orthodox. Although the name may change, the practice of sacrificing is a mutual aspect amongst these different religious communities. In the Catholic faith, they acknowledge the holy spirit which is interesting because this is also something done within other religions. Hearing the phrase, “in the name of the father, the son, and the holy spirit,” reminded me of the lecture in class that talked about the introduction of the Holy Spirit, or ghost, into religious practices. Unlike Pentecostals, at least at

I really love this midterm project since it pushes me to experience different religions and participate in many valuable activities. I really learned many things from this class, but I think the theoretically knowledge cannot leave me a deep impression. This project gives me an opportunity to put everything into practice. More importantly, by experiencing three world religions---Christianity, Buddhism, and Catholicism, I realized the differences and similarities among them. This makes me understand how are those religions related. I think this is an important task in this class.

The Passover in Hebrew is known as Pesach. It begins in the Sunset of Monday, April 10, 2017, and ends at the nightfall of Tuesday, April 18, 2017. The Pesach is depicted in the book of Exodus 12:23. It describes the day when God passed over Israelites. During the Passover, the Israelites usually celebrate their Liberation from the Egyptian bondage. This is when God delivered them from slavery in Egypt. The Passover is also considered to be one of the most theologically important holidays in the Jewish calendar. It normally goes for eight days but in other communities, it lasts for only one week. The Jews are prohibited to eat any bread or leavened food. They are only allowed

I continue to keep all of you close to my heart in prayer and thank God for each one of you every time I think of you. The season of Lent is my favorite season. Though I enjoy the season of Christmas it seems like we are always in a hurry. Christmas comes and goes so fast. Lent gives me time to reflect, mediate and pray more.

Yom Kippur is the most revered Jewish holiday. Our family follows the religious tradition of fasting on Yom Kippur. I refrain from eating or drinking to show God that I am sorry for any sins that I may have committed over the last

Religion plays an important role in the small Puritan colony in Babette’s Feast. The two pious sisters Martine and Philippa, who inherit the austerity and the ascetical commitments from their prophet father, reject all sensual delights in order to better glorify God. However, the exquisite French dinner offered by Babette for the prophet’s hundredth anniversary brings about a transformation in the chef Babette, the two sisters and the disciples. In both the novella and the adapted movie, the sensuality incarnated by the pleasure of eating the food has the power to help people discover the meaning of life and get salvation. Babette’s Feast sheds light on this by showing the change of people’s lives before and after the dinner. Ultimately,

Lent is based on a time to renew the Covenant in many ways. A reason that this is a time of renewal is because of the covenant between God and us. This Covenant says that God will be our Father forever. We are called to renounce all that would keep us from loving the Lord and our neighbor. By doing that we are renewing our love for God. Another reason for why we have to renew the Covenant is because God’s love is strong without limitations. Our love to him can be strong and true, but is subject to being weak and limited. This is one of the reasons for why we need to renew the Covenant. Lastly, Lent is a time of examining oneself and to review and renew our love for God. We humans must do this because we sin and everyday can move father and

Deuteronomy 16:1-2 Has several commands in it the first of these being “sacrifice the Passover to the LORD” Directs the Jews to keep the observance of the Passover in

Pentecost is the day that celebrates 50 days after Easter. In Judiasm, this is the feast that marks the day that God gave the Law to Moses at Mount Sinai, also known as Shavuot. Although, both videos were made with hard work, creativity, and accuracy, "The Bible" produced by Mark Burnett and Roma Downey is a better example. Dan Stevers video was very descriptive however, Mark Burnett's was better because he used real life people and props, instead of puppets, which took a lot of time, effort and money. In the Bible, Acts 2:1-13 state: Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.” Even though Mark Burnett's episode on Pentecost didn't include the last verse, it still showed accuracy throughout the video. Dan

Ramadan is a holiday celebrated by Muslims of the Islamic faith. It is month long fast that symbolizes the Quran revealing itself to the prophet Muhammad. Ramadan is observed in accordance with the moon phase of the crescent. The fast is from dawn to sunset each day. It is a fasting of food, beverages, sexual activity, smoking, cursing and overall engaging in what the Quran deems as sinful behavior. During this there is more praying and recitation of the Quran in Muslim communities. A unique feature of Ramadan is that in relation to the Five Pillars of Islam, many individuals giving more to charity, the less fortunate and back to their community. They are practicing Zakat or alms as it is known in laymen’s. Ramadan can be explained using the terms “sacred time and space” coined by Mircea Eliade in his novel “The Sacred and the Profane”.

Easter is the earliest and essentially a significant Christian celebration that rejoices the resurrection of Jesus Christ three days after he was crucified at Golgotha in present day Israel. Additionally, it is the culmination of the 40 day Lent, a period of reflection and penance that represents the period Jesus spent in alone in the wilderness previous to the commencement of His ministry. Further, the Jewish Pesach which commemorates the ancient Israelite exodus from slavery in Egypt also transformed into Easter.

Fasting in Christianity is an option but is highly recommended, not like in Islam. Where there is a special month like Ramadan. When I say it is an option I mean that the person can choose to fast any time, such as when the person is feeling down, or when a person is financially troubled. They can also fast which helps them get closer to God. Apparently, the scripture doesn’t say that person has to fast but it is a great key to get closer to god. The rules are very similar to Islam’s, but also quite different. In the bible its says while a person is in the state of fasting he or she can’t eat, drink or have any sex, and rather focus on their faith and try to increase their knowledge in their religion. In. “The Book of Acts”, it says that fasting and praying are connected together. Fasting is rather way for you to forget about reality and focus on your faith and try to get closer to god. Also, in “The Book of Arts” there are other ways to fast. Anything you give up will be considered fasting. This is found in “Acts 13;4; 14;23 and

“The classic Disciplines of the spiritual life call us to move beyond surface living into the depths. They invite us to explore the inner caverns of the spiritual realm. They urge us to be the answer to a hollow world.” There are many different but important Christian disciplines. Some that as Christian we all practice on a regular basses while other which people are specifically called to undertake during their walk. As Christians we may never fully participate in every discipline throughout our walk. The discipline of fasting is one which has been around before Jesus, “Old Testament saints fasted at times of mourning and national repentance. They fasted when they needed strength or mercy or persevere and when they wanted a word from God (see 1 Samuel 7:6, Nehemiah 1:4, Esther 4:16).” For over 2 thousand years, Fasting has been an important part of our Christian walk, to help us draw closer to God and to rely and trust Him more.

Undoubtedly, fasting is one of the main practices that Islam and Judaism have in common, although their specific rules vary. For example, Muslims fast during Ramadan, the ninth month of their calendar, to remind themselves of the first revelation of the Quran to Muhammad. This month of fasting is also known as Siyam, one of the Five Pillars of Islam, which are the basic requirements each Muslim should follow in order to live a good life. The practice of fasting is even prescribed in the Quran: Chapter 2, Verse 185 states that, “The month of Ramadan is that in which was revealed the Quran; a guidance for mankind, and clear proofs of the guidance, and the criterion (of right and wrong). And whosoever of you is present, let him fast the month, and whosoever of you is sick or on a journey, a number of other days.” Muslims are required to fast from dawn to sunset, but can eat suhur and iftar, which are the meals before sunrise and after

Another example of religion portrayed in Two Days, One Night would be at the climax of the movie, when Sandra approaches her co-worker named Alphonse. He is Sandras last hope in keeping her job. When Sandra asks him, Alphonse responds by saying, “It is what God tells me to do. I have to help my neighbor (Dardenne).” This line is a blunt example of religion explicitly portrayed in the Dardenne brothers film. The line spoken by Alphonse is a direct referral to religion. It is not up to interpretation or perspective. It is a very selfless act completed by Alphonse. Similarly, in Catholic tradition, themes of selflessness are exhibited. Jesus died on the cross in order to forgive those who had sinned, even though he had not. This is the very definition of a selfless act.