Lent

  Lent is that special time of year where we decide that giving up something, i.e., a sacrifice, to grow closer to Our Lord, Jesus Christ.  Jesus is the Messiah, the anointed one, come to save sinners (which includes you and I) from our sins.  Many people will give up one thing or another, but it only lasts during Lent.  This is sad, for a variety of reasons, one being that if you are going to give up something, then I feel it should be permanent.   Ven. Fulton Sheen said "Pain with Love is sacrifice".  Do you believe this?  Have you ever wanted something (or, if you've ever been a twenty something or teenager, which I am willing to bet most of those reading this have been or are) that it hurts?  But there are times when you let it or them go, because  it would be better off for them.  There are two takes on the secular decision of love, one is "If I can't have her, no one can"! Which is creepy and obsessive, and there's the other side (which is still kind of a middle way, when you get down to it), "I just want my sweetheart to be happy", and this is of course preferable to the first.  It is still, however flawed.  Because she is still your sweetheart, in your mind, she is still yours.  However, both of which are life altering events.  So it is during Lent.  I am not telling you to give up anything, but what I am going to say is that when I say "life changing" I mean "conversion experience".  Volunteer to help the homeless, see Jesus in your neighbour, start a new devotion, read the Bible like you've never read it before, fast every Friday, if you have medical reasons you can't, change your diet to something healthier.  When you do fast, do it in secret.  Give the money you would have spent on the meal to a charity of your choice.  "for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,  I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’  Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see thee hungry and feed thee, or thirsty and give thee drink?  And when did we see thee a stranger and welcome thee, or naked and clothe thee? 39 And when did we see thee sick or in prison and visit thee?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me."-Matthew 25:35-40