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Ash Wednesday, the day after Mardi Gras, is the beginning of the Lenten Season for Catholics.  Lent is forty days before Easter Sunday.

 

Many people make special efforts to deprive themselves of things they enjoy as a means of sacrificing to God.  I remember that I always had good intentions of giving up sweets or movies, but that didn’t last but a day or two.  However, I do remember a few years attending daily mass during Lent.

 

Since I’m no longer a practicing Catholic, I haven’t paid much attention to the Lenten Season.  This year, for selfish reasons, I’ve decided to give up something I’ve been putting off.  I’ve decided that since my body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, maybe it’s time to take care of it.  My decision, starting today (Ash Wednesday), is to give up coffee, sweets, and soft drinks for the next 40 days.  I have to remind myself that to accomplish this, I have to take one day at a time and focus on what the final results will be.

 

Starting today, I’ll have to pray more and ask God for the grace to resist any temptation that would break my 40-day commitment.  If I pray more, I will, undoubtedly, develop a closer relationship with God’s Son, Jesus.

 

If, after 40 days, I’ve been true to my commitment, I’ll feel better about my spiritual life.  I will also feel better about myself, hopefully lose a few pounds, and realize that if I could do it for 40 days, it could and should be a life-changing experience.

 

Keep in mind that God doesn’t demand our sacrifices, but does commands us to love Him and to love our neighbor as ourselves.  These are His two greatest commandments.

 

Come to think of it, regardless of a person’s religion, Lent might be a good time to take a personal inventory and make the necessary changes to get closer to God, and also, to take better care of o

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