I am contemplating what to give up for lent this year… It starts on Wednesday with Ash Wednesday, in my instance I will go to a local Catholic Church and take part in the Ash Wednesday Mass, where I will receive a blessing and a cross of ashes on my forehead (symbolism echoes the ancient Near Eastern tradition of throwing ash over one’s head signifying repentance before God), this is usually left until washing after sundown. No, I am not Catholic (though it is, on my mother’s side, the family’s traditional religion), to observe such a ritual is for me a time of remembrance, repentance and also a time to connect with my family’s traditional roots.
This year, I am thinking about observing a more rigid practice of Lent, where meat is abstained from for the entire 40 days, except on Friday’s where fish is substituted and on Sunday’s where the Fast is relaxed. It is not a fast from all food, as a moderate diet of vegetables and fruit is the norm, bread is allowed, but during the first and last week of lent all dairy products should be abstained from (not hard for me… I’m a lactard)
Here is a link to some recommendations for fasting during Lent: How to Fast During Lent
Are you going to observe Lent this year?
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I am reflecting on the passion more, and that is something.
I’ve also sworn off frivolous purchases. Stupid? Not for me, who spends every Saturday at the second-hand store rummaging for treasures. And I usually find them.
I am also trying to wake up whenver my husband wakes up, which is much earlier than this sleep lover likes. A huge sacrifice, but better than saying, “I promise I will be up by 7 am for forty days,” then berating myself every time I fall short.
We’ll see how it goes. I’m hopeful.