Ash Wednesday Inspiration from The High Calling

Today is Ash Wednesday, a day many Christians set aside as a special day. It is a day to remember our humanness and mortality. It is a day to begin the season of Lent, a time for reflection, penitence, and preparation for Easter.

It’s quite impossible to return to a traditional fast, simply because of this issue of personal choice. You could follow the same dietary restrictions of a traditional fast, giving up everyday staples such as meat and fish, sugar and all animal and dairy products. It wouldn’t be impossible to do, but it would become a dire inconvenience to other people, and I have to feel that drawing attention to the fact that you’re fasting somewhat goes against the spirit of the whole thing.

We are in constant need of mercy and forgiveness of God” he said.

He advised Christians to use the period to renew their pact of love with God.

Last year, the writer Mary Karr published a beautiful memoir of her life, and her conversion to Catholicism. Some have actually compared it to the “Confessions” of St. Augustine. The book is called “Lit.” The title refers to literature, but also to the idea of carrying within you a kind of light, of being “lit.”

It’s not always easy reading. Karr writes about growing up in an abusive, alcoholic home…about her early, unsatisfying marriage…about her own struggles with addiction and time she spent in a mental hospital.

And when can I start watching TV again?  On Saturday, April 03rd.  Wow – that is SUCH a long time.  If you’re wondering, yes, I am a complete TV and movie addict.  So, this is going to be difficult for me.

If you are interested in how this goes – I will keep you posted on my blog.