Lent • [lent]
noun (in the Christian religion) an annual season of fasting and penitence in preparation for Easter, beginning on Ash Wednesday and lasting 40 weekdays to Easter, observed by Roman Catholic, Anglican, and certain other churches.
Today is the start of Lent, Ash Wednesday.
The other day on NPR they asked people to email in what they were giving up for Lent. Since I was on the computer I easily shot off a short simple email. The next day I received an email back asking if they could call me and record me for the show. My first thought was, "no way." I am just too shy for that sort of thing and I really, really don't like the phone. But I thought about it for a bit and decided that I couldn't pass up a chance to be on the radio, let alone NPR! So, that is how I ended up on the "Day to Day" show today saying that I was giving up sugar for Lent and that Justin was adding daily morning walks. They classified us under those who wanted "self-improvement," which is correct, I guess, but we really are not using Lent as a diet. It's a means for reminder, reflection, and meditation.
Since I wrote the email I've thought a little bit more about Lent. I think I will still work on the sugar thing, I think the cravings will be a strong reminder, but I also want to add 15 minutes a day of prayer and meditation (this could include: yoga, walking, sitting in silence, being outside). On top of that, Justin and I are going to look for a book on Lent at the library today. We hope to learn a little...
Here is a song I associate with this season... Go here and scroll down to "Prince of Peace." (It's by our friends Jubilee Singers {formerly: No Little Kindness})
Commence the season of Lent!
2 comments:
The way I was raised, we didn't so much give something up as we gave something back.
I passed that on to my children. During Lent, my kids used to loved to read to elderly patients at a nursing home, volunteer at an animal shelter and other such good works. Then at dinner every evening during Lent, they would discuss the resulting change in themselves.
Now they're grown and married with children of their own, and that tradition continues.
Pasadenajo, That is a great tradition! As I am experimenting with Lent this year, I thinkin' I am going to incorporate "giving something back" next year. What a great tradition!
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