Off we go into the desert!

Joyful Desert Cactus, Fountain Hills, Arizona

Ash Wednesday - And so... Lent begins.

A friend asked if I go through Lent with spiritual direction or guts it out till Passion week?

Here is my response...

Gutsing it out is part of my everyday life! No matter what the season, the Catholic Church offers PLENTY of guidance. Going to Mass helps me... no matter what the season... because of the consistency in the routine, the Liturgy of the Word and the most beautiful reminder of God's greatest gift; Christ's life and death for our sake through the Eucharist (Holy Communion). I'm sure there are plenty of programs, daily walk kind of things, out there to follow for the forty days of Lent. It's worth a Google! Really though... as with anything... you get out of Lent what you put into it. "Turn from sin and believe in the good news." are the words I'll hear when the ashes (burned and blessed palm leaves from Easter) are placed on my forehead today. Made with the sign of the cross... those ashes remind me of my humanity and failings. More importantly... they remind me of God's gift and great love for us all.

Scripturally Speaking:
Matthew 6:16-18 NASB

  “Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.