Lent

Today is Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent.  Lent is the liturgical season (40 days) when we prepare for Easter. Christians prepare by fasting, practicing spiritual discipline and reflecting on their relationship with God. Basically, Lent is a time for "spring cleaning" our lives, giving thanks for our blessings and deepening our relationship with Jesus.

The joke among my friends is that I am Catholic enough for all of them. Proof above, I am the living Wikipedia  for Catholicism. I guess 12 years of Catholic school will do that to you.  I attend mass regularly, pray daily (not including my Jesus, Mary and St. Joseph plea when I am wits end with something), and I make sure my kids are being brought up the same way. I also have enough Catholic guilt to keep me honest.

My fellow Catholics, when you think of Lent, the first thing that comes to mind is "What are you giving up?", right?  When I was younger, it was ALWAYS candy/dessert. It just made that big basket of candy on Easter morning that much sweeter. As I got older, I still give up something, but I try to focus on DOING something as well.  This year, I am giving up soda. I know it it bad for me anyway, but some days, I just need that Diet Mt. Dew to get through the afternoon, know what I mean?

This year, I want my spiritual cleaning to be a little deeper. A friend on Facebook posted this and it just struck my heart. This is what I should be doing all year, not just during Lent.

TRUE LENTEN DISCIPLINE
Fast from judging others; feast on Christ dwelling in them.
Fast from emphasis on differences; feast on the unity of all life.
Fast from apparent darkness; feast on the reality of all light.
Fast from thoughts of illness; feast on the healing power of God.
Fast from words that pollute; feast on phrases that purify.
Fast from discontent; feast on gratitude.
Fast from anger; feast on patience.
Fast from pessimism; feast on optimism.

Fast from worry; feast on God's providence.
Fast from complaining; feast on appreciation.
Fast from negatives; feast on affirmatives.
Fast from unrelenting pressures; feast on unceasing prayer.
Fast from hostility; feast on non-resistance.
Fast from bitterness; feast on forgiveness.
Fast from self-concern; feast on compassion for others.
Fast from personal anxiety; feast on eternal truth.

Fast from discouragement; feast on hope.
Fast from facts that depress; feast on verities that uplift.
Fast from lethargy; feast on enthusiasm.
Fast from suspicion; feast on truth.
Fast from thoughts that weaken; feast on promises that inspire.
Fast from shadows of sorrow; feast on the sunlight of serenity.
Fast from idle gossip; feast on purposeful silence.
Fast from problems that overwhelm; feast on prayer that sustains

Shared from the very wise, Father Jerry Riney

My goal is to read these every morning and night and to follow them as best I can during the hours in between.

Now, I just have to remember to not eat meat today and  the next 7 Friday's...