Happy Lent

I am aware that I am not Catholic, but that doesn't mean that I can't participate in a little tradition now and then. I am talking about the Season of Lent. Lent is a forty-day period of fast, prayer, reflection and sacrifice before Easter. Traditionally you skip Sundays when you count the forty days, because Sundays commemorate the Resurrection, so technically Lent begins on the 25th of February, Ash Wednesday, and ends on 11 April 2009, which is the day before Easter. In the Roman Catholic Church, Lent officially ends at sundown on 9 April (Holy Thursday), with the beginning of the mass of the Lord’s Supper. I honestly don't know all the details about this holiday, but it doesn't keep me from participating. I think it is good to sacrifice something now and then, so that you are aware of going without. Even though in the past I have given up silly things (like french fries, or eating at Arbys) I have also made some pretty big commitments, like the year I did absolutely no shopping unless it was a necessity. This was really difficult for me. I couldn't buy cd's, or i-tunes songs, or clothes, or anything that didn't involve food and shelter items.

This year Casey and I decided we are giving up eating out for Lent. No breakfast, no lunch, no brunch, no dinners, no nothing for 40 days. Just home cooked meals. I am determined to make it the for the entire long haul, but I think it is going to be difficult, but isn't that the point.