feb 17

February 17th 2015

Tomorrow is the beginning of Lent.

Every year someone asks me why 

I give something up until Easter.

Lent is traditionally described as lasting for forty days, 

in commemoration of the forty days which, 

according to the Gospels of Mathew, Mark and Luke, 

Jesus spent fasting in the desert, where he endured temptation by the Devil. 

In most of the West, it begins on Ash Wednesday. 

Different Christian denominations calculate its length differently

During Lent, many Christians commit 

to fasting or giving up certain types of luxury as a form of penitence. Many Christians also add a Lenten spiritual discipline, such as reading a daily prayer, to draw themselves near to God. Many Roman Catholics and some  Protestant churches remove flowers from their altars, while crucifixes, religious statues, and other elaborate religious symbols are often veiled in violet fabrics in solemn observance of the event. There is also the traditional abstention from the consumption of meat, most notably among Roman Catholics on fridays.

Its purpose is the annual commemoration of Holy Week, marking the death, burial and resurrection, which recalls the tradition and events of the New Testament beginning with the rememberance of the Last Supper on Holy Thursday, the Friday of Sorrows remembering the crucifixion, which ultimately culminates in the joyful celebration on Easter Sunday and the Resurrection. 

I have done this all my life 

so I am always surprised when someone asks. 

Giving up something for Lent sometimes 

evokes head-scratching in non-Catholics, 

but what might seem like just another Catholic rule 

can actually be a practice with deep spiritual significance.

Lent, the period of 40 days that precedes the celebration of Easter, 

has its origin in the early days of the Church. 

Converts seeking to become Christian, 

who at that time were mostly adults, 

spent several years in study and preparation. 

Under the threat of Roman persecution, 

becoming a Christian was serious business, 

so their process of preparation was intensive! 

Then they went through a final period of “purification and enlightenment” 

for the 40 days before their baptism at Easter. 

The rest of the Church began to observe the season of Lent 

in solidarity with these newest Christians. 

It became an opportunity to recall and renew the commitment of their baptism.

The three pillars of Lent are prayer, fasting and alms giving. 

These observances help us turn away from whatever 

has distracted or derailed us from our religious beliefs. 

Giving up something for Lent is ultimately a form of fasting. 

We can deprive ourselves of some small pleasure or indulgence 

and offer that sacrifice up to God. 

Or we might “give up” a bad habit such as smoking 

as a way of positively turning our life back towards what God wants for us.

So maybe your mom was on to something 

when she had you give up Oreos or your favorite TV show as a child. 

An experience of want, 

however temporary, 

can help us to appreciate the true abundance in our lives. 

A small positive change can have a big impact that lasts beyond the 40 days of Lent.

Take the time now to think about what you might give up this year. 

Is it something you enjoy that you want to sacrifice 

for a while like your daily latte? 

Or is it a bad habit you want to conquer, 

like running in late to meetings with co-workers? 

Or perhaps you want to turn your cell phone off 

for a few hours each day and not let it distract you 

from the loved ones you are with in real time? 

Find something that works for you whatever it is this season of Lent.

I began my 40 days last year by

donating 1 bag if items 

every day to charity

to show myself how lucky I am to have so much.
I was joined by so many others

who learned the same thing.

We are very very fortunate

and sometimes forget that!

1. No buying anything that you don’t NEED.
If you can live without it, you don’t need it. 

Put the money that you would have spent into a jar. 

You will be surprised at how quickly you build up your savings.

2. 40 things for 40 days.
Every day, you need to go around your house and collect 40 things to donate or throw away. 

(Try donating, because you are helping others).

3. 40 days of organization. 

Every day during lent, take one room of the house and organize it.

4. No gossiping. None! 

If someone says something negative about another person, 

either say something nice or don’t say anything at all. 

You would think this is going to be SO easy, 

but when you can’t say anything negative about anyone else, 

you realize how often it happens, sadly. 

5. No eating after dinner. 

This one is hard, so it really makes me think about Lent 

because I can see just a glimpse of how Jesus struggled 

when he was hungry. 

I eat most of my snacks in the evening, 

when I am watching TV with my husband.

6. No soda. 

Not really out-of-the-box, but it is a struggle.

7. Say 3 nice things to your spouse and kids every day. 

You may think this is easy, 

but try to say things that aren’t the normal 

“Thanks” or “You look nice.” or “Good job.” 

Try to do 3 out-of-the-box things: 

“I love how you always help the kids.” 

 or “I love how you work hard on your homework, even when it is tough tonight. You are a hard worker.”

8. No eating out! 

Start making easy crockpot meals

9. Replace 30 minutes of TV time.

Who couldn't use 30 extra minutes of family time. Read a (bible) story with your family and have a discussion about it.

10. Do not complain. 

We often complain and whine about things, 

but need to try to have a positive outlook on things. 

It is VERY hard. 

You don’t realize how much you complain until you give it up…

11. Start trying to be a little more healthy.

Cutting out junk food, replace some regular processed foods you use and switching out chemicals for more natural products! This 40 days is a great place to start!

12. Computer free and game free evenings.

Tomorrow morning I hope to be inspired

as I have not yet chosen what I will be doing.

A bad headache is preventing me from great thoughts.

So good night from John Street,

Happy Shrove Tuesday,

and 

Happy start of Lent.