Lent is the period of 40 days which comes before Easter in the
Christian calendar. Beginning on Ash Wednesday; Lent is a season of
self-reflection and preparation before the wonderful event of Easter. By
observing the 40 days of this wonderful season; Christians are reminded of the
many sacrifices of Jesus Christ. Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus
after his death on the cross. Christian churches that observe Lent use it for a
time for prayer and penance. Here is a story to help remind you to pray
frequently during Lent. The Pretzel is a food commonly
associated with the season of Lent for some 1500 years now. There are different
versions of the story. A common thread in these stories is that a young monk
who lived during the early 600s somewhere between France and Italy was baking
unleavened bread; which is a Lenten fasting food. A common posture for prayer
for these early Christians was to stand with their arms folded across their
chest with each hand touching the opposite shoulder. Some versions of the story
say it was accidental, others say it was on purpose; that the monk used some
leftover unleavened bread dough to create a shape that we now call a Pretzel.
It is also said that the monk used his creation to remind his fellow monks to
pray during Lent. He called his creation “little arms” which in German is
“Bretzel.” It is also said that the monk used his Bretzel as a reward for the
Children saying their prayers. As with the Monks or the Children we need to be
reminded at Lent and throughout the year to pray. Our reward is not only the
tasty Pretzel but that Easter will come. Our Lord and Savior did conquer death;
so YOU can count on Jesus Christ every day of your life! Now go enjoy a
delicious Pretzel and don’t forget to pray! In Christian Faith, Rev. Walter Coy |
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