Before the Council of Nicaea, the followers of Jesus had formed a ritual of fasting prior to Easter which celebrated the resurrection of Jesus. Meat and alcohol were forbidden, prayers were encouraged and alms giving or charity work.
It was a time to reflect on mortality and death.“Remember, man, that thou art dust, and unto dust thou shalt return” – a translation from the medieval Latin Mass (Memento, homo, quia pulvis es, et in pulverem reverteris)
One of the oldest symbols of the early Catholic Church was the Chi Rho (above right), the ichethys (above left) and a combination of both with the fish, the latter a symbol of the fisherman of men and souls, Jesus Christ. The metaphor is a beautiful one based on a human ideal. I often think of these early symbols and the people who made them when I am participating in Ash Wednesday which is the first day of Lent when these symbols really mean a lot. Lent last 40 days and ends on Maundy Thursday before Easter Sunday. Maundy is a day for the washing of the feet. As one can see, these are all symbols to represent the growing religion of Christianity during the early days.
I am, to other people's astonishment, an Easter Catholic. I observe Lent and Easter each year. For me it makes sense, as it is a time of self-denial, self reflection, and pondering the early Christian ideal. But I take these metaphors very seriously. Fasting is an element of many religions. So is prayer. Remembering that we are mortal, that nothing last, that our time here is limited is healthy.
The ashes to ashes. Our lives are brief and fragile.
Edit: I've given up being an Easter Catholic.
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Comments go to email for approval. I only check once a week. Thank you, Jane.