Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent for many. While on the Internet, I found this article posted by Catholic Online about Lent beginning and what this means for Catholics. It is an interesting read. Lent comes from the word lengthening and it is not a coincidence that its falls around the time when we get out of the long winter days into the beautiful spring days. The Church states that a question that is often asked of them, even by other Christians, is who needs to the Lenten practices. The Church’s response? We do.
In reading this article, I am somewhat reminded of Kierkegaard’s existentialism in that we all have decisions in our life and it is our freedom that we make those decisions. "In man, true freedom is an "outstanding manifestation of the divine image" (CCC #212) The article states this quote about man’s freedom. They also go on to talk about the choices we make in life, whether they be right or wrong.
These forty days of Lent provide a time for Christians to reflect on the choices they have made and what they will change about themselves. Many people for Lent give things up, like cookies or soda. I went to Catholic School my whole life until Christopher Newport University. When I was in middle school the priest would come once a week to talk to the class. When it was Lent I remember him saying that it is not what you give up, it is what you give. He told us that we should try and better ourselves during the next forty days. In a way, have a more “grown-up” outlook on Lent and see it more as a time to give back rather than give up. Something to think about.
Lent Begins: Ash Wednesday,Turn Away from Sin and Be Faithful to the Gospel
http://www.catholic.org/clife/lent/story.php?id=40613
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