Day 9 of Lent: Why is Lent for 40 days?
The Lenten duration of 40 days is practiced in imitation of the 40 days Jesus was in the desert.
"Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted forty days and forty nights and afterwards he was famished." (Matthew 4:1-2)
LENTEN CHALLENGE OF THE DAY
Read and meditate on Chapter 4 of Matthew's Gospel. As you read this passage, focus on the things that the devil tempts Christ with. Notice what Jesus says "no" to - sensual pleasure (food), honor (the highest part of the temple), and glory (the entire earthly world). We too have to deny these things for ourselves in order to do God's will in our lives.