<p>I agree. do we really think God is up there thinking, “hey, you’re not a X, you shouldn’t be doing Y.”</p>
<p>I said early on I’m Catholic but not religious but I have deep love of God and believe he is the judge of my actions. Walking away from the church didn’t have god cross me off his list rather I believe he watches over me even closer. </p>
<p>And if we are going to compare family members opinions my 92 great grandmother read through this post and summed it up perfectly…the gates are open to everyone, ignore and pray for those that stop and set up a toll booth. </p>
<p>^^^ I think I like your family member’s opinion better than some others who think they are the only right ones and the only ones entitled to an opinion. Sure it’s the internet and everybody is entitled to post but that doesn’t mean you can call others stupid when they don’t agree with you. Well, I guess you CAN, but I’m pretty sure my God doesn’t think it’s a very charitable way to think. </p>
<p>I think that it is admirable to be open to other religions and attend services, try new ways of thinking, etc. The Catholic Church does not totally agree with that viewpoint. Even though I have been a professed Christian for 50+ years, I can not partake of communion during a Catholic service. It is meant to be more than wine and bread refreshments during a service. As someone who sees the observance of Lent as part of a spiritual journey, I hate to see someone trivialize the ritual. Before all of the name-calling and finger pointing started, I think MomofwildChild asked why someone who didn’t believe would follow Lent. A simple explanation that it is not necessary to be Christian to take a spiritual journey would have been much more civil. Instead, both sides felt attacked and became defensive.
I am afraid of joining this thread because words and meaning get twisted so easily. If you want to give something up for Lent, please do, but please also be open enough to understand that for some of us, the 40 days of Lent have a very great meaning.</p>
<p>I certainly understand how Lent has a great deal of meaning for some. What I don’t understand is how someone giving up something for Lent even if they aren’t Christian affects you in any way. It doesn’t trivialize what you think or believe. Kind of like how I feel that if a gay couple wants to marry, it doesn’t affect my marriage in any way. Either legally or spiritually. </p>
<p>Is Ash Wednesday & Lent in the Christian Bible?
I would like to read more about it.
Several members of book group attended Catholic schools through college & as we have been reading Karen Armstrong, I dont have the same background and am getting a little lost.</p>
<p>No, Ash Wednesday and Lent are not specifically in the Bible. They are church traditions. The origins of the tradition are in the Bible though. Couldn’t tell you exactly where but I’m sure google could </p>
<p>Lent started as a way of preparing new believers to join the Christian community on Easter. Ash Wednesday is a day to turn the season from Epiphany (the season after Christmas, in which the identification of Jesus - looking at his first miracles, calling of disciples, sermon on the mount and the such is covered in the assigned scriptures comes to an end with the transfiguration story revealing his divinity) to Lent. AW focuses on recognizing that all we accomplish in this life dies with us, and that the eternal things (love, compassion, etc) are what matters most in life. It focuses on seeing ourselves in need of a forgiving savior to prepare us to accept Jesus as that Savior, and the new birth in this life and the next that comes with the resurrection on Easter. Theory being that you can’t appreciate salvation unless you know you are in need of it.</p>
<p>At our Protestant congregation, we leave the Bethlehem star up from Christmas through the last day of Epiphany. Then during Lent we focus on finding “the light” within, that comes from responding to the Godgiven light.</p>
<p>Hope that helps. Now back to polishing up my sermon for tomorrow…</p>
<p>Whew! I won’t add much to this discussion about religion, but I will add to the original “what are you doing for Lent?” question. I am making a point to add a daily dose of yoga to my routine. </p>
<p>I also have a bit of a twist. Yes, this does sound like a New Year’s resolution, but so be it. Last year, I challenged myself to bring a bag of stuff to Goodwill every day. That then became the inspiration for the bag a week club (thanks to abasket). This year, I’m challenging myself to cross everything off my list that I write. You see, my usual list doesn’t always get everything done. In fact some days, that same thing might appear on my list day after day. “Go to the shoe repair” …. “mail that letter” …. “pay the bills” …… “call Aunt XX” etc. So this year during Lent, I’m going to finish every commitment I ask of myself every day.</p>
<p>I’ve been thinking this over all day now. I really couldn’t think of anything I could give up. I’m not much into junk food and I know that realistically I won’t give up pop.
Then it dawned on me that my one main vice is eating out. I’ve decided to greatly reduce the number of times I eat out and redirect that money towards something dear to me: my local bully rescue. I haven’t been able to give as much money as I normally do due to cutting back hours and this will be a great way to do that! Plus, I get to help some adorable pooches just like the one above my screenname </p>
<p>I am Christian and have tried to practice adding something meaningful during lent instead of stopping some behavior. This year I subscribed and am reading the daily mediations of Richard Rohr, a Franciscan priest. I’m not Catholic but I have heard him speak and his ideas of non-dualistic thinking have resonated with me. I need to spend more time thinking outside of my own head. </p>
<p>I like the visual prayer on pruning roses. I centered my Lenten prayers on My roots waking up and starting to grow the months before any spring buds begin to swell. Lent is my root-growing time. I am taking on learning a song a day on the piano. My first was when the Saints come marching in. Today was Best Day of My Life. I have learned 5 songs so far, Santeria, Refugee, counting Stars. Just thinking what song today is becoming a prayer in an unexpected way.
Did you see the Twitter world a buzz with ashtags? </p>
<p>The Episcopal church did “ashes to go” at our market square. Taking the ritual to the people where they are “Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return” sure highlights the brevity of this life. Did any of your cities take it to the streets too? </p>
<p>Our church did ashes to go, which was really successful and the people involved in assisting felt it was very meaningful. There was also some criticism of the “ashes to go” project in the media. I think it is a good thing. There was also encouragement to tweet pictures of your ashes with the hashtag #ashtag and #ashwednesday I think the Episcopal church is making a real effort to be more relevant and use social media a lot. It’s a process… </p>
<p>We are Catholic, kids have attended Catholic school. Have practiced Lent all my life and while we are not “die-hard” Catholics - and becoming more far from that as we get older - we have always encouraged our kids to practice Lent and to really think about choosing a Lenten path that will be long lasting beyond the “40 days”. </p>
<p>When my kids were younger even their school encouraged the “giving up” method - candy, pop, snacks - whatever. However, over time they saw the value internally of choosing to add something to their daily life - a new practice, attitude, outlook whatever - as opposed to omitting something for a few weeks. My 16 year old D decided this year that that she feels out of touch with all that is going on in the world - her day consists of a small circle - home life, school day and friends, hours of homework afterwards. A pretty limited “view” on the world. She has chosen to tape the national news each night - different stations, therefore, different perspectives/viewpoints - and take 20 mins (using FF for commercials and such ) to catch up and be more aware of the trials, tribulations, successes and challenges that people outside of her little word have. So far it has been a lesson in MANY things - managing her time to have the time to committ to it, being more aware and giving her the knowledge to form opinions or change opinions on many things including politics, develop even more compassion for others and appreciation for her life, etc. Countless lessons being taught through this one “promise” during Lent which will stay with her for a long, long time. </p>
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