I was raised Roman Catholic, in a particularly Irish Catholic way. Guilt and praise were handed out in equal measures and I was taught to reflect upon things. This aspect of my family life has probably had the most profound effect upon me.
Yesterday was Mardi Gras, and today is Ash Wednesday, the start of the Lenten season.
When I was growing up, my mother, and my teachers encouraged us not just to give something up, but to promise to do something active as well for the forty days.
While I am no longer a Roman Catholic, or even a person of faith, I can respect the tradition of sacrifice, doing good, and reflection that this season implies.
I have made my choice about what I am giving up and I am trying to figure out what good I am going to do on a daily basis as part of this period. Anything that I can think of seems trite and that is not really the point. So, my burden is to think of a goodness to do before then end of the day, and one that I can repeat on a daily basis.
And yes, I did go get my ashes.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Be nice. Sign your name.