Good morning! This past week we had Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. As a kid growing up, my family’s faith practice didn’t involve Lent; however, I had a Catholic aunt who gave up ice cream every year during Lent. As a lover of ice cream, my childhood eyes thought that was a significant sacrifice! I knew little else about Lent other than the fact that my aunt abstained from ice cream for 40 days! That left an impression.
Now that the observance of Lent has become part of my own faith practice, I have come to appreciate its deeper significance. It’s a time of reflection and anticipation. A time to prepare for the celebration of Easter. This Lenten season, make it a goal to lean into your faith more intentionally. To “walk with Jesus” and come to understand his sacrificial life, death, and resurrection better!
You won’t walk away from Lent with every faith question you may have answered, but you will walk away with a deeper faith and a grateful heart.
As I reflected yesterday on my aunt who annually gave up ice cream, I was reminded of just how many people on the earth right now don’t have the privilege to “give up” a food, because they have none. They have nothing to give up. Let us thank God for the blessings that we each have. Look for ways this week to help those you encounter who need – food, a friend, a smile, affirmation – and the list goes on. In our celebration of Lent, let us seek ways to be the loving hands of Jesus.
Have a blessed week!
Diana Kongkeattikul
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