40 Days of Seeking Him 2011~ Day 1

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Trish over at A House Upon the Rock invited several Christian bloggers to participate in a new event.  She is planning to post about her journey through Lent this year with reference to activities, etc. that she’s doing.  Originally, she had it as a Facebook group where we could post our links on the days we posted.  After some feedback, it has now been changed to a daily meme hosted on her blog.

I’m going to do my best to share what we are doing in our house as Lent progresses.  Whether I have enough to share for 40 days of posts is a completely different story.  I do have several for this week that will reference other bloggers with fantastic resources.

Lent is that wonderful season in the liturgical year when we can turn inward, focus on our failings, and strive to change ourselves for the better.  All of this is done with an eye towards walking closer to our Lord and then celebrating His Resurrection on Easter Sunday.  (For us Catholics, Easter proper is only the beginning of a whole other season.) Hopefully, those of us participating on this meme will find ways to work on those shortcomings we possess as we strive for holiness.

Today, Ash Wednesday, kicks off Lent.  

Like other Catholics around the world, I made a short pilgrimage to Mass this morning.  The pews were more full than usual for a weekday Mass as some people have the misconception of it being a Holy Day of Obligation.  It isn’t, but going to have ashes placed upon your forehead as an outward sign of faith is something that compels those who might not regularly attend to make the journey. (My observant son noted that a few people were there long enough to get ashes and then made a beeline for the door.  It saddens me, but I’ve come to learn it isn’t something I should be dwelling upon.  Instead, I try to pray that those PACE Catholics will eventually hear God’s call and fully return to the Church.)

Our pastor gave a nice, brief homily this morning which hit upon Lent being a time for prayer, fasting and penance.  Through those steps, we hope to walk further along the path of holiness.  We should spend our days living life the way God meant it to be lived rather than pursuing what the world tells us is a good goal.

What really struck me this morning, though, was his comment about how ashes can cause growth.  This phenomenon illustrates that there is no life without death.  But, taking it beyond the physical, one can see that there can be no spiritual growth without self-denial.

And, that ladies and gents leads to something that we Catholics are  known to do during Lent….giving up something for the season.  I’ve had years when I went the opposite and decided to add something rather than taking away.  But, aside from the possible self-denial of more ‘free time’, I found that those years had less spiritual growth than those when I did both.

Thankfully, what we give up does not have to be grandiose.  But, it should be something that will be a bit ‘painful’ to maintain.  Therefore, for me to give up something I have little attachment to in life will have little reward in the end.  So….giving up soap operas for Lent this year won’t work as I haven’t been watching them since late fall.  Other things that come to mind would be near impossible.  I’ve had a few blogging friends go silent on the computer Mondays through Saturdays.  If I wasn’t doing the TOS Homeschool Crew or had other commitments that require the use of the computer, I’d seriously consider it.

I have been praying about what I could sacrifice this Lent.  Going with no chocolate for Lent seemed almost impossible for me.  I decided that giving up all the sweet coffee drinks in the morning would be feasible. 

Some mornings, I’ve only had a cappuccino.  And other days I’ve continued with a few more coffee cups using flavored creamer.  I guess my espresso machine will be boxed up for a while as Sundays would be the only time I could use it.

The other challenge for me has been fasting.  Honestly, I felt ravenous yesterday beyond belief and could only figure it was my brain trying to stock up before today arrived.  It makes little sense as to why this happened as Little J still nurses enough that a fast would not be demanded by church law.  So, I’m giving up all treats on fast days (no chocolate tonight….) and doing my best to keep with one meal plus two small snacks today.  I’ve avoided snacking with the boys so far, but at the rate Little J seems to want to nurse I might be eating fruits and veggies for a snack tonight.  (He also ate half my lunch a little while ago…I’m just vacillating on whether to get a little more food before drinking my cup of tea.)

If you want to see who else is participating in this meme OR possible join us, head on over to Trish’s post for today.