Let's "Give it Up" for Lent!!

The season of Lent, which begins with Ash Wednesday on Feb. 17th, is an awesome time to refocus our lives. As Catholic Christians, we take this 6 week period before Easter to peel away the layers, to look inside at what may be keeping us from having a closer relationship with Jesus. We evaluate our sinful nature and try to recommit our lives to Him. It's hard to look inside at the ugliness of sin...to really take responibility for the things we do...or don't do for that matter!! What's keeping me from Jesus and my ultimate goal of spending eternity with Him?? Is it a preoccupation with worldly possessions? Is it to much time on the computer or some other addiction? Is it a hatred for someone or an apathy for my job? To be honest, I often find it's the little things...like being late (for which I'm famous), or not giving time and attention to my spouse, or not giving 100% to the task at hand.

To get refocused and recharged we use certain practices to retrain ourselves. I'm often asked about the practice of fasting and abstaining. During Lent, we fast at certain times and abstain from eating meat on fridays. Most Catholics "give up" something as well. It maybe a certain food, or some habit of which we aren't proud. Some people give up watching TV or they may decide to give up sweets, or a favorite drink. Yes, these are trivial things, but it's not necessarily what your fasting from, but the ability to practice self-denial, obedience, and self-discipline. Our ultimate model, is Jesus himself...who was obedient to the Father and willing to sacrifice his own life for our sins. While practicing this self-denial we can relate in some small way to our Lord. It allows us to open the scripture and be more spiritually focused.

We try to take up habits and practices that are more pleasing to God. We can decide to help a neighbor with a task, or sponsor a young girl who is with child. We can donate clothing or food to the homeless shelter or spend more time with family in prayer and devotion. We're reminded that our lives are like waves which crash upon the sand, our mortal bodies are fleeting...we want to focus on what will last, and that's the soul!! We're preparing for our heavenly home which will be filled with richness, goodness, and abundance beyond compare!

So, let's be committed to "giving up" that which is keeping us from Christ! Let's turn away from sin and be faithful to God's message in the Gospel! Let us be cleansed from our sinful ways and open our hearts to what God is offering us!!

Keep on Dancing!!