Ash Wednesday was a big deal in our family when I was a kid.
We went to Mass and a priest put ashes in the sign of the cross on our foreheads. It was a reminder that we’re really “ashes to ashes and dust to dust.” That our bodies, these things we walk around in while here on earth, eventually, become dust in the wind. A reminder that our spirits are what remain.
Ash Wednesday is the start of Lent. Lent is the 40 days leading up to Easter when Catholics usually give up something that has become or is becoming a bad habit.
And although I haven’t been a Catholic for many, many years – I still appreciate the idea of Lent. The purpose of observing Lent is to foster a deeper spirituality; fine tuning your ability to listen for or to God. How can that not be a good thing?
There is a whole world of things to give up for 40 days – and they were supposed to be things you really enjoyed so that you were REALLY making a sacrifice. I remember giving up popcorn, giving up chocolate, probably giving up watching a favorite TV show, like Ed Sullivan, I Dream of Jeannie or something, etc. as a kid. I think I remember correctly that the significance of the 40 days has to do with the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert – fasting and gaining spiritual strength to endure the trials he would soon face.
It’s interesting how every religion has its rituals and traditions. I went to a Sunday Buddhist service a month or so ago because of the meditation part of the service and participated (a bit surprised) in the rituals they specifically practice too.
But back to Lent. Catholics also often try to add a positive habit in their life during the 40 days of Lent – rather than to give up something. So – in my non-Catholic state – I’m going to speak only positive of other people in an effort to foster graciousness, hospitality, mutual respect (my self-respect and respect toward others and where they may be coming from).
Sometimes it’s good to wrap yourself in the cloak of quietness and not to let your tongue control you. To listen. To give others the benefit of the doubt. And if I can’t find that benefit – to just bite my tongue. To follow Thumper’s advice in Bambi, “if you can’t say somethin nice, then don’t say nothin at all.” Wish me luck. Wish me a Mary-like spirit.
Well – okay – Mary may be just a BIT of a stretch. She was “full of grace.” But I can keep her in mind. What do you think of the practice of observing Lent? If you’re not Catholic - can you still see the wisdom? There is so much to learn and glean from all religions. They’re so similar in what they’re trying to attain.
And Lent? Well, forty days of giving up or adding to is attainable. Don’t you think?
After having a 5 day visit from my daughter and her family for my granddaughter’s 1st birthday. The celebration was wonderful! Now I am savoring the post celebration solitude. 40 days, something to think about.
You got to celebrate your granddaughter’s 1st? Together? I’m sure wonderful is just the right word to describe that.
Beautifully written. I am Catholic and have given up meat for the entire 40 days, rather than just Fridays. And my addition? A morning journalling process that’s supposed to help ground me and bring a little more sanity to my busy life. Is the journalling going to be taking me closer to God? I don’t think so, but if it helps keep me balanced and sane, then that has to help me walk in God’s footsteps, right? I hope so anyway . . .
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Well I think so. I think any time we are closer to our center and who we really are – we’re concurrently closer to God. And moving toward balance and sanity? What is more important than that? I hope you enjoy and benefit from the journaling AND the absence of meat.
I have always appreciated the concept of ash wed.and the people who really do it. I am trying to think of what I would give up for 40 days but all that comes to mind is that is such a long time, so I am now going to change my attitude and come up with something. I love your idea Barb. It is inspiring. I am going to give up sugar.
Just like that? Well I know you are one determined woman so I believe you’ll do it. Let me know how that goes. I’ll bet you feel so much better by Easter. And if you indulge in baskets full of jelly beans, Peeps, Reeses Peanut Butter eggs, Cadbury eggs, malted milk balls, etc. – watch out for the sugar rush after 40 days of abstinence. You’ll probably really feel how good it felt to have stayed away from the stuff. Good luck!
I am Catholic. And funny, you’re doing this. A few years ago, I decided to stop focusing on sacrificial and instead of giving something up, I chose to find my something in my soul that needed improvement. This year, I too, have given myself the gift of being kind. It can be tough, on crabby days, with those who may not really deserve my kindness, but in the long run, I know I will be a happier human being by practicing grace.
Good luck with your aspiration. It’s a beautiful one.
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the same wishes back to you Joann. It takes practice…..I know.
I wasn’t raised Catholic. I was raised a mutt. I went to church with whatever friend would take me. So, I was sometimes Methodist, sometimes Baptist, sometimes Catholic, sometimes EUB, whatever that was. I was always jealous of my friend Janice. She would come to school with those ashes on her forehead and it seemed like she belonged, somehow.
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That really IS a lot of what an organized religion does for individuals and individual families. It gives them a sense of belonging. A sense of community. And that’s not a bad thing, unless, in my opinion, it goes too far. And I’ve been there. A religious mutt – never heard it put that way – but mutt’s are the dearest and strongest too – so that’s a good thing.
Wow, I love how you put this…God put many people in your life to draw you close to Him. Denomination doesn’t matter to Him!
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I agree with you Lina. And I agree that we help each other along the way – even the negative influences in our lives because they teach us. It’s just up to us to stay open and teachable.
Hi there! I popped in through SITS, and this is a really interesting post. I love Lent. It’s really a great time to get rid of all the spiritual junk that has built up over the last year. Our family is Catholic, and we’re doing something a bit different this year. We’ve been really bad about saying blessings before dinner, so we’re adding that in; but we’re also taking one night a week to have a complete media blackout. That means no TV, no computers, no cell phones. It sort of feels like cheating by not doing it for a full 40 days; but we had to keep it realistic.
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I can still say the “Bless us oh Lord,” prayer from memory after having said it for years and years growing up. It’s such a nice thing to say grace. To be mindful and grateful for the food you about to eat. I still try to remember just to pause for a few seconds and consider it. To be conscious of what I’m doing. That will be so nice for your family – for your children. Some kids never think to be grateful for a meal. And what a nice bonding moment for your family. Fantastic. And the one night a week to just spend time together? Fantastic and realistic too. Mormons do that – they call it a Family Home Evening. Brilliant. I wish you well in your Lent endeavors and intentions. thanks too for stopping by.
Mary may have been full of grace, but that doesn’t mean she was out of reach! She was one touch Jewish mother: Look at how she handled Jesus at Cana! I mean look at it: “When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
Really it must have gone something like:
Mary: “Jesus, Hiram just told me they are running out of wine, go do something about it.” (Turns to rejoin the party)
Jesus: “Me?! Why are you coming to me? What does it have to do with me!”
Mary: She turns back and gives Jesus “The Look”
Jesus: “I don’t think this is the right time to do this!”
Mary: The Look again
Jesus: Sigh
Mary to the servants: “Do whatever he tells you!”
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Interesting take and way to put her in real time. I’m sure she was “in reach” which is why so many of us can and do still relate to her today.