I was recently asked the question, "what is the difference between a New Year's resolution and giving stuff up for Lent?" My very simple answer was that the center of a resolution is "me" and the heart of a Lenten sacrifice is Christ.
When I choose to resolve something, is tends to be about me and attempting to make a lifestyle change for the better (i.e. shed a few pounds, eat healthier, shop wiser, read more, etc.). When I choose to give something up for Lent (fast), its foundation is based on my relationship with God. Through fasting, whether it is from a favorite food/beverage, or from technology, or from a habit, I become keenly aware of my dependence on God, for it is only Him that can satisfy my deepest hunger.
For me, I look at my Lenten journey as a sort of spiritual pilgrimage. If you've ever been on a pilgrimage, you know that it breaks one down; spiritually, emotionally, and sometimes physically. But then in the midst of our brokenness, we recognize that it is God who can make us whole once again. We come out of the darkness and into the Light.
The beauty of fasting is that it is not intended to last forever. A fast is not designed for that, for after the fast comes the feast. On Easter Sunday, we will feast on the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, and celebrate wholly a joyous new life in our Risen Lord. Hallelujah!
Holy Week is my favorite week of the calendar year. We submerge ourselves in tradition and symbolism and the richness of our faith. Without the events of this week, there would be no Easter story to tell.
Just one more thing. . .I did not give up sweets for Lent. I was craving chocolate one afternoon and Monkey bought me this. It is pure delight and has now been added to my secret chocolate stash. Shhh. Don't tell the Love Bugs!
The Love Bugs
I have activities planned this week for the Love Bugs and a few special surprises for Easter Sunday. I'm so excited that I'm a little giddy about it. I admit, I am a bit of a catechectical nerd.
A few weeks ago, I was talking to the kids about confession.
Me: Does anyone know the steps to a good confession?
Gummi (jumping up and down): I know this! I know this! Give him (the priest) a firm handshake and look him in the eye!
In case you're curious, the steps to a good confession are:
- Examine your conscience
- Be sorry for your sins
- Have a firm resolve to avoid those sins in the future
- Confess your sins to a priest
- Satisfaction ~ fulfill your penance
It has become a habit of Sweet Pea to exclaim, "Nuts!" in any number of situations. Now I understand that she could use much worse words or phrases, however, she says this so often that we have been encouraging her to think of other ways to express herself. Yesterday, as she was working on her homework, she made a mistake on a worksheet and needed to erase it. As usual, she said, "Oh nuts!", but then she caught me looking at her and she quickly added, "I mean nuts-a-roo!"
Well played Sweet Pea.
This past Saturday, the girls and I were watching cooking shows on T.V. One of the shows was Martha (Stewart) Bakes. We were probably 15 minutes into the show when Sweet Pea asked, "Mom, is that woman a man?"
Sorry Martha.
I hope you all have a blessed Holy Week and a beautiful Easter! Enjoy "new life" that is budding all around us.
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