Today's Readings for Ash Wednesday, March 9, 2011 (text) (audio) & reflections.
Basic Rules for Lent
Lent is a time for more prayer and almsgiving. Fasting and abstinence. Fasting obliges all Catholics, age 18 through 59, to refrain from eating between meals and to limit their eating to one full meal and two lighter meals a day. And abstinence, which obliges those 14 years of age and older not to eat meat. Ash Wednesday and Good Friday include both fasting and abstinence. And every Friday in Lent is a day without meat. (with Good Friday being both abstaining from meat and fasting).
Many people also give up things like chocolate, alcohol, watching a favorite TV show, or in other cases, Facebook. Some use the time as a way to make good on New Year's resolutions - like go to the gym 3 times a week. While these ideas are all good to increase one's discipline - the focus should really be, the things or habits or practices that keep you from loving God with all your heart, mind and soul. Spending more time to grow in your relationship with God is the sweet spot.
Put aside some time prayer and reflection. Read the Bible. Go to daily mass or confession when offered. Visit the sick in a hospital or a nursing home. It is somewhat ironic, because these acts will really bring you closer to God, and they are not a burden once you try and actually do these things. The irony? These little acts of kindness will make you feel better, and allow Jesus to accomplish what He wanted to for all of us. He wants to make our joy complete. Trust Him, He loves you.
