This Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent with the observation of Ash Wednesday. For those who don’t know, Lent is a period of 40 days leading up to Easter in which the Church traditionally prepares herself for Easter. The idea is that during this 40 day period we give ourselves more devotedly to works of prayer, fasting, and charity. It is a time in which we unite ourselves to our Lord in His 40 days of temptation in the wilderness. It is an opportunity to trust in God’s grace to assist us as we seek to practice discipline and self-mortification in our lives.
Like many Catholics, the period leading up to Lent can be quite interesting as we toss up the various things that we would like to “give up” for our Lord.
For Lent this year, I have decided that for my “fasting” I will endeavour to give up Facebook and spend the time more productively. As part of my works of prayer during Lent I hope to pray a Rosary for a different friend on each day of Lent.
So, if you don’t see me on Facebook, or if I haven’t responded to a message you have sent me, know that it is for a good reason J In the words of Arnie “I’ll be back” – and in the meantime, I will be lifting you up in prayer.
May God bless you over this Lenten season as you seek to draw nearer to Him in preparation for the greatest Feast of all – the Celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
P.S. If you’re a stickler for details like I am, you may have taken the time to work out that the number of days from Ash Wednesday to Good Friday is not actually 40 – it is more like 44. This is because Lent does not include Sundays, which are Feast Days and as such are days of joy and celebration; whereas Lent is a time of fasting and penance. So, I might just sneak a peak at Facebook on Sundays (and also link my latest blog).
OK...less than a week into Lent and I think that giving up Facebook is simply too easy a sacrifice...I will have to give up a few more things that are more of a sacrifice for our Lord.
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