Today marks the beginning of another season of Lent. I know I comment on this every year, so why break the tradition? :o)
So many view this time of the year in a negative light. I disagree with that perspective! I see it as an awesome opportunity to identify with our Lord in a couple of ways: the time of temptation in the desert (40 days...thus, the 40 days of Lent) and in His sufferings. We identify with Him as we are tempted to give in to our fleshly desires. We identify with His sufferings as we allow our flesh to be crucified in certain areas, in order to draw closer to Him.
As I was growing up, I knew very little about Lent. I knew very few Catholics. Those Catholics I knew were not very vocal about their faith. As I grew older, though, I met Catholics and those in other churches (Lutheran, particularly) who only spoke of Lent in terms of "giving up" something. I view this time more in the light of "giving in." Giving up more of my own desires so that I may "give in" more to my Lord!
Recently, I heard a prayer that called Lent a "season of grace." I like that! Any time we focus on fasting, prayer, and giving to the poor, we can most certainly know that we will grow in His grace.
As this time progresses, I would like to share with you my own thoughts, as well as those from "My Lenten Daily Devotions," a little calendar put out by Food for the Poor, Inc. It includes a daily Scripture reading, excerpting one verse from that reading, as well as a daily "offering to God"--something each of us can do to draw closer to the Lord. I will share the daily verse and the daily offering.
So many view this time of the year in a negative light. I disagree with that perspective! I see it as an awesome opportunity to identify with our Lord in a couple of ways: the time of temptation in the desert (40 days...thus, the 40 days of Lent) and in His sufferings. We identify with Him as we are tempted to give in to our fleshly desires. We identify with His sufferings as we allow our flesh to be crucified in certain areas, in order to draw closer to Him.
As I was growing up, I knew very little about Lent. I knew very few Catholics. Those Catholics I knew were not very vocal about their faith. As I grew older, though, I met Catholics and those in other churches (Lutheran, particularly) who only spoke of Lent in terms of "giving up" something. I view this time more in the light of "giving in." Giving up more of my own desires so that I may "give in" more to my Lord!
Recently, I heard a prayer that called Lent a "season of grace." I like that! Any time we focus on fasting, prayer, and giving to the poor, we can most certainly know that we will grow in His grace.
As this time progresses, I would like to share with you my own thoughts, as well as those from "My Lenten Daily Devotions," a little calendar put out by Food for the Poor, Inc. It includes a daily Scripture reading, excerpting one verse from that reading, as well as a daily "offering to God"--something each of us can do to draw closer to the Lord. I will share the daily verse and the daily offering.
Today's verse: "But take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them." (Matthew 6:1a)
My Offering to God: "I will anonymously do something kind for someone."
If you have any thoughts or questions, I'll do my best to respond as I am able! And if this is all a bit too "heavy" for you, then feel free to stop by my other blog, "Ramblings of Freckled Mom," for the lighter side of life.
2 comments:
I love today's verse and your offering. There is great insight to your blog..whether you're
Catholic or not.
Could you tell me the reason for the ashes on the forhead please?
Thanks for your kind comments, Pat. I'll do my best to answer your question.
When the priest imposes the ashes on an individual's forehead, he says, "You are dust, and to dust you shall return." (Or something similar...) It is a sign of penitence, sorrow for sin, etc. In the Old Testament someone experiencing great sorrow or going through a period of mourning would put ashes on their head as an outward sign of sorrow. (i.e. "to repent in sackcloth and ashes" as the Ninevites did after Jonah prophesied to them) Since Lent is a time for examining our hearts and allowing the Holy Spirit to show us areas that need some work, the ashes are a sign of our need for repentance and turning our hearts again to seek God. Does that help? I'm still pretty new at all this, so I used a little help from my hubby! :o)
I heard a quote on the radio today from Cardinal Maida (newly retired archbishop from Detroit): "Lent is spring training." I thought that was good!
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