Peaceful Lent and Joyful Easter

Yesterday marked the first day of Lenten season 2012, the forty days (not counting Sundays) leading to Easter. You have probably heard about "Fat Tuesday", when, traditionally, people use up all the fat in the household and have a carnival celebration. The day after "Fat Tuesday" is "Ash Wednesday". That is when people go to church to receive a black cross marked on the forehead. The ashes came from burning last year's Palm Sunday branches, mixed with Holy oil.

While at work in a hospital, two ladies approached people and asked if anyone would like to receive Ash Wednesday blessings, my heart leapt for joy. They were like angels to me. I rose and one lady gently crossed my forehead and said, "Remember that thou art dust, and to dust thou shalt return."(Genesis 3:19)

When I went home, my hu*****and was watching TV, and he pointed to a newscast lady with a cross on her forehead. When we went to the evening mass at church, we saw people were all very solemn with black marks on their foreheads, even little babies may receive a blessing, we felt so humble. The priest talked about if you went fasting, do not pout about it, I elbowed my son, he blushed and felt sorry for telling me that his lunch had no meat and 'tasted like paper'.

At dinner, we talked about what we were going to give up this lenten season, my daughter suggested giving up fast food, I was so happy to hear it coming out of her mouth. Years before I had suggested that, and my hu*****and and the kids were reluctant, when Lent ended and Easter came, they had a "backlash" and went out and bought so much! Some people give up sweets, some give up coffee and send the money saved to charity, some give up drinking alcohol, some give up anger, I give up pleasure reading for spiritual reading.

Lent is a season for renewal, we use this time to bring forth positive changes in our lives. Listen to the stirrings of your heart, what are you longing for? A more peaceful home, heart or relationship?


《I thirst for you》～ I call this "a love letter from our Lord"

～Have a Peaceful Lenten and Joyful Easter Season!～