Today marks the beginning of Lent, and we receive our ashes, to remind us of the transience of this life.
Our bodies will return to the ground, but what of our souls? We use this time to purify ourselves, to seize an opportunity to better imitate Christ. There are three ways that we do this: fasting, prayer, and almsgiving.
Fasting is the hardest for me. I do not eat much, and might even be a bit underweight, and yet, the idea of not eating however much I want, or when I want, is offsetting; possibly even frightening to me.
But thanks be to God, I made it to Mass tonight to start this off right, and I am genuinely grateful for this opportunity to become better. While I have wanted to be more disciplined, I just did not have enough reason, but now, I am ready to be in the "desert", with the encouragement of a community. And then, Laura Secord Easter Eggs, baby!!
"Even now, says the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; rend your hearts and not your clothing...Blow the trumpet in Zion; declare a fast; call a solemn assembly; gather the people. Sanctify the congregation; assemble the aged; gather the children, even infants at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his room, and the bride her canopy."
Joel 2.12-3+15-6
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