We're in week three of Lent. How are you doing? What are you doing?
Our family is still using Hillbilly Housewife (www.hillbillyhousewife.com) $45/week menu. Lots of beans and some in the family are tired of it -- IAN! Last night was tuna-noodle casserole. He said it looks disgusting. You'd think I'd spoiled him with rib-eye steaks, roasted vegetables and tart tatins every night.
I do love commemorating these days, like Lent and Advent. But it seems there is a plethora of resources for celebrating Advent but very few for Lent. Lent can be an austere time, and hence the lack of "celebrating" it. We are preparing first to remember the sacrifice that Jesus made, and then the resurrection.
The kids and I are reading the lectionary and praying through the Divine Hours. Reminds me of our days at St. John's in Vancouver.
But there are no Lent calendars, wreaths, visual count-downs for the season. Or are there? Do you know of any family-friendly ways to remember Lent? Or is Lent even a significant season for you?
4 comments:
Did you ever subscribe to Americancatholic.org? That's the site where I get the e-inspiration cards I send to you for the holidays. I enjoy reading and learning about the Saint of the Day and every season, such as Lent and Advent, different issues are discussed. The site is multi-faceted and I enjoy the columns by the various priests, brothers, and scholars.
I also subscribe to The Word Among Us. It's like Our Daily Bread for Catholics. You would enjoy the stories within. The publisher is Joe Difato, and I especially love his introductions to each issue.
I think of Lent as a more personal and private reflective season and am even reluctant to discuss what we "do" for Lent, but that's just me, and I want to focus on what Mr. Difato says in "Lift up the Cross, " . . .the power of Jesus' cross to help us overcome everything that separates us from Jesus and each other." So, I guess I could say what we "do" for Lent is eliminate things and forces in our modern lives that do just that, and hopefully we gain the strength to be set free from all the distractions, the things that keep up from leading the life that God wants us to truly live, not just during Lent, but eventually for the rest of our lives.
Last year, during the Walk the Line hoopla, I saw on VH-1 the Johnny Cash Folsom Prison concert, and there was an interview with an inmate on death row, and he was so humble and contrite. He spoke of the situations that led up to his incarceration, and how, and I think this is how I remembered it, if he kept going to church and followed the path of Jesus, all of the ill/evil in his life would never have happened.
I felt in my heart, as I watched this man speak, he had been converted, and he spoke of how he soon would be put to death, and I was really heartbroken. This interview touched my heart, and after I watched this show, albeit it was originally broadcast, what 25 or so years earlier, I vowed, for every Lent, as long as I live, to donate subscriptions of The Word Among Us to prisoners and to pray for their conversion.
Other ideas and stories have come my way during Lent, and have prompted me to take action. Again, most are private, but it is interesting how if we open ourselves up to benevolent possibilities during the Lenten season, and follow God's calling, the questions of how to serve God during Lent, and after the 40 days are over, are easily answered.
http://www.americancatholic.org/
Features/Lent/default.asp
Above is the link I previously mentioned.
Excellent post Val. I never thought of Lent being private but I can see that. You know me, a like planning events and celebrations and perhaps, Lent doesn't fit into that because of the solemnity of it's nature. I think I ask what others do because I am so scanty in maintaining the discipline I choose during the Lenten season. Perhaps I bit of me wants to compare myself to others - I don't know. But I appreciate the reminder of what is about and what it leads to.
I will look up those sites.
Great thoughts on lent. I'm afraid we've missed here in Western Kenya this year. But we eat beans/rice nearly every day so maybe that'll count for something when all is said and done:).
Love your blog. Keep it fresh. :)
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