The 40-day period of Lent began Wednesday, and ISU students are participating in the traditional Christian observance in different ways.

Lent is a time to prepare for Easter and reflect on what it means that Jesus Christ died on the cross and saved his people, said Katie Elbert, a Catholic and senior in psychology.

Elbert has resolved to give up eating meat for the Lenten period “to live more in solidarity with the poor. A lot of people have to live lower on the food chain and don’t have a lot to eat,” she said.

The tradition of observing Lent developed in the third and fourth centuries as a time set aside for the contemplation of the great mysteries of salvation, said Fritz Wehrenberg, campus pastor at University Lutheran Church, 2126 Gable Lane.

While Wehrenberg said hope springs from Easter’s celebration of the resurrection, it is not the salvation moment; salvation occurs on the cross. The Sundays during the Lenten period are not considered part of the 40-day period, since the resurrection is still celebrated during Lent. However, the Sunday services during Lent are more quiet and subdued out of a thankfulness for the sacrifice on the cross, Wehrenberg said.

“Lent helps us focus on Jesus’ saving act,” he said.

Lent is a time to give more, pray more, and fast more, Wehrenberg said.

Ben Reagan, a Lutheran and senior in computer science, said the period is a personal time for worship and to reflect on “how the Easter story fits into our lives.”

Tom Kent, a Catholic and senior in aerospace engineering, said he will fast on Fridays during the period to remember the less fortunate.

“Being faced with the needs of others helps me really evaluate what’s important in my life,” he said.

While some might think fasting involves abstaining from food, Wehrenberg said it is a broader concept that refers to “giving something up that is meaningful to you.”

In the original Hebrew text of the Old Testament, the number “40 also means ‘a long time,’ ” Wehrenberg said. In the story of Noah’s Ark, it rained 40 days and 40 nights, the Israelites spent 40 years in the wilderness and Jesus fasted 40 days before being tempted in the desert. He said Lent is 40 days to remind Christians of the Bible stories.

Kent said he will spend spring break on a service trip to Appalachian Kentucky to work with less fortunate people, while Elbert will spend a few days in Chicago visiting her sister. Despite being in a city with many opportunities to eat meat, Elbert said she is committed to abstaining from meat consumption.

“It’s not something I’m giving up for a superficial reason. I really want to challenge myself to constantly think about other people,” she said.

Ben Vaughan, a Lutheran and undeclared graduate student, said he is giving up caffeine for Lent and is similarly unconcerned about his ability to maintain his commitment during the period.