Ashes and Sacrifice

"Lent is a fitting time for self-denial; we would do well to ask ourselves what we can give up in order to help and enrich others by our own poverty. -Pope Francis

Ashes

Lent kinda snuck up on me this year- especially with Valentine's Day being the same day as Ash Wednesday.  I mentally knew it was coming but spiritual and organizationally I am still not ready.  I usually like to clear a small area for prayer- haven't done that yet.  I like to set up a prayer and givings box- haven't done that yet.  In the past I like the children to be some what involved and aware and I haven't really prepared them- this year has been especially hard because of the VaLENTine crossover.  I knew they would rather be in school then come with me to Ash Wednesday service.  But as prepared or NOT prepared as the case may be I love this time of year.  I love the intentional thoughts and practices.  I love the traditions and the words "Repent and believe in the Gospel".  These are the words of life for me as I am in the presence of the body and blood of Christ Jesus our Lord son of the blessed virgin Mary.

"Prayer is not asking for what you think you want, but asking to be changed in ways you can't imagine." -Kathleen Norris

My plans for Lent this year: pray, pray, pray- and of course fasting and giving but mostly prayer.  I spent a lot of time last year juggling many Lenten activities so I thought I should scale back a bit.  My prayer life has left me feeling very dry and hallow recently so I have been using the Magnificat to help me pray the morning and evening prayers.  I also use it to read for the Daily TV Mass because I can't usually attend daily mass near my home.  I am limiting my computer time to 2 one hour sessions- once in the morning and once in the afternoon/evening depending on which will work better for me on a particular day.

Sacrifice

For fasting, I decided to fast as best to my ability, time, and budget from convenience or processed food- I am predicting a lot of whining from certain little people in my house so pray for me.  I want to try to eat only bread I make and use whole wheat as often as possible.  I want to try to eat clean and as best I can a balanced pesco-vegetarian lifestyle.  I tried this once just for short time and ended up eating a LOT of bread I made but it was mostly white flour bread with a lot of butter.  I am going to try to keep a better balance of fruit and vegetables.


For giving, we will use the CRS Rice Bowl and not try to give a set amount (I usually give $40) but to give what a can and to read the stories and prompts to the girls on Wednesdays.  I will use their recipes on Fridays, but add fish sticks for the girls.

So that is what Lent will look like this year.  I have much to thank the LORD for and renewed every year through this tradition- big or small, prepared or not.