Lent

[Geonz]

I'm a very post-vatican II Catholic (in my Catholic school we had purple mimeograph paper with the words to "tin soldiers and nixon coming, we're finally on our own... this summer I hear the drumming... four dead in Ohio" ).

Here's a link I put on my blog : Bicycling as a Lenten Practice (it's gotten neat comments from people who assume(d) Christian meant Christian Right).

I'm going to try to get to work early enough to be changed into professional attire more often, and give up Pop Tarts.

Jesus spent forty days in the desert praying adn fasting and basically focusing on God. Catholics emulate that in Lent. Of course, we impose our personalities and psychologies upon the tradition.. It's sorta like training for the "big wazoobidoo" of Easter. We don't say the A word (alleluia) in the liturgy until Holy Thursday, or sing the Gloria. Feels so good when we get it back!

[sbctwin]

We don't say the A word (alleluia) in the liturgy until Holy Thursday, or sing the Gloria. Feels so good when we get it back!

I agree. I love the Gloria and feel the mass so much more personally involved. There was a period where our 'cantor' (yea, right) sang it and we just got to sing a responsorial. I felt like 'my participation' in the mass was lacking.

DH and I are going to try and modify our eating habits (give up deserts). We are undecided as to whether to give up our wine with our Friday fish, but that will probably go.

I am trying to think more positively. When negative thoughts come along, I have to refocus my energy towards something positive.

At the Ash Wed service, the homily was about leaving stuff at the 'river bank' and proceed forward. I want to get a copy of the homily if I can and reread it regulary through lent. I also want to say 'The Our Father' twice a day to really get the day going in a positive way.

I will try, at least

[withm]

We don't say the A word (alleluia) in the liturgy until Holy Thursday, or sing the Gloria. Feels so good when we get it back!

Sheesh 12 years of Catholic girls school and why don't I know that? Well it WAS a lllloooonnnnggg time ago I guess.....

[carpaltunnel]

ELCA Lutheran here...Last night at Ash Wednesday services our pastor encouraged us to move beyond the things we wanted to do for ourselves anyway, like giving up sweets, to good deeds, alms giving, acts of kindness, and self examination.

[RoadRaven]

Ah... of course... 40 days before Easter.
Doh! I knew this!!!

Thank you for your explainations...

I kind've forget about Easter being at this time of the year. About the only time I do remember is in the supermarket with the plethore of rabbits and eggs!

Ostara is in Spring time, and Spring down here is actually (approximately) when you in the North observe Samhain/Halloween!

So while we do "do" Easter at this time of the year - particulalrly the retailers and marketers - I don't really think about it.

Its interesting how "the church" interpreted this time for its followers. I know Jesus gave up much for his meditations in the desert... and yet that is not what I think of when I think of his time there. I don't think - he gave up, so I should go without something too...
I think, he spent all this time in focused and purposeful thought - how could I do that more in my life?
(this is what CarpalTunnel's pastor seems to be suggesting - now that's spiritual pastor - as opposed to being "just" religious. Keep him on CT)

[7rider]

Sheesh 12 years of Catholic girls school and why don't I know that? Well it WAS a lllloooonnnnggg time ago I guess.....

13 years co-ed here (counting kindergarten).
Still...no clue about the lack of "A" until Holy Thursday.
Don't recall hearing or not hearing it....don't recall ever being told it...not quite motivated to go and test it this weekend.

[OakLeaf]

Don't recall hearing or not hearing it....

Well if it's anything like my Episcopal church, you'll still hear a few Alleluias from parishioners who are still reciting their responses on auto-pilot from the Epiphany season

[MomOnBike]

Of course, I've never said the automatic Alleulia during Lent, nope not me! No sir! Never, ever happened.

[LBTC]

Overtly catholic upbringing here, with a twisted memory of Lent. Remember that part that Indysteel noted that Lent didn't include the Sundays? Well, that was interpreted in my family home as - whatever you gave up for lent you could still do on Sunday. Every year, Dad would give up candy, for the whole family, even though we didn't eat a lot of candy all year. I'm sure we ate more candy on the Sundays in Lent than we did at any other time of the year!

I also recall proposing giving up homework one lent, since I really enjoyed it. Funny, that didn't fly!

Today, I"m recovering from all of the negative parts of that childhood and simply don't observe the season. Most days I try to share beauty and joy by sending a photo to my email list of people. And, yes, I'm learning that I need to start changing negative thoughts when they happen. And I'm practicing gratitude as often as possible. Who would have guessed that my health would return so well?

Hugs and butterflies,
~T~

[7rider]

Overtly catholic upbringing here, with a twisted memory of Lent. Remember that part that Indysteel noted that Lent didn't include the Sundays? Well, that was interpreted in my family home as - whatever you gave up for lent you could still do on Sunday.

We had that, too. (well, not the gorge-fest on candy) But Sundays "didn't count" in Lent...day of rest and all that.

[Velobambina]

Dang, Sunday counted in our house.

[Geonz]

Welp, in the UK some bishops are preaching "give up carbon for Lent" (tho' I dare say 'give up' is being used a bit loosely)
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/mai.../ealent105.xml

alle... oops! Sing Praises!

[invsblwmn]

Friends of mine for the past two years have given up days WITHOUT sex for lent. Of course, Sundays, they indulge and just go to sleep.

[LBTC]

IV - that's fabulous!! And a lot of lemonade! Yum!

H&B
~T~