Comments on: Thursday 2/28/2019 – Looking ahead to the Season of Lent

By: Leslie Judd

Leslie Judd — Fri, 01 Mar 2019 08:35:29 +0000

As a further note on Mardi Gras, we associate it with “Carnival”. Carnival comes from the Latin phrase “carne vale” which means “goodbye, meat” and of course refers to the ancient Lenten tradition of giving up meat during Lent, which these days applies, in the Catholic Church, only to the first day of Lent, Ash Wednesday. It’s the same notion of “Abstinence” as we older Catholics recall as what used to be the “rule” of not eating meat on Fridays.

By: Dan McFeely

Dan McFeely — Fri, 01 Mar 2019 04:20:27 +0000

Answer about Mardi Gras – this is literally “Fat Tuesday” (in French) and is a traditional day, or weekend in some places, where Christians enjoy the final festive hours of eating, drinking and being merry before the penitential season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday. One tradition is that Fat Tuesday was so named because households would eat up all the sugar and baked goods in the house, so that the true fasting season could begin on Ash Wednesday without the temptation of yummy things in the kitchen.

By: A

Thu, 28 Feb 2019 19:39:24 +0000

If you’re Polish, today is Tłusty Czwartek, i.e. Greasy (“Fat”) Thursday. We’re celebrating with pączki.

As for Lent, the most successful Lent I ever had was when I gave up comparison (to others) and jealousy. The latter stems from the former.

If I found myself getting jealous, having failed to stop the comparison, I said that I was happy for this person that had X/could do X, and that I was glad that they had it/could do it. It worked for dissipating feelings of jealousy.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 28 Feb 2019 15:51:22 +0000

Very nice reflection Dan. Why do they talk about Mardi Gras during this period of lent?Can you clarify this for me plz Dan? Thank you! God bless you and family.

By: Linda

Linda — Thu, 28 Feb 2019 14:13:39 +0000

Dan,
You are correct. That is exactly what I did last year. I started my day with scripture meditation and a search. That is how I found this website. It became such a wonderful habit that it is now part of my morning routine on most mornings. I am looking forward this season to adding group rosary and stations of the cross. If we are lucky, it will become a healthy habit for life! Thank you for reminding us of the importance of the choice we make. God bless.

By: Amy

Amy — Thu, 28 Feb 2019 13:29:16 +0000

Thank you Dan for your thoughtful reflection

By: Judy

Judy — Thu, 28 Feb 2019 12:47:58 +0000

“Faith needs to be implemented in our daily lives. Soaked into our hearts, minds and souls.

Yes, we should wear our faith on our sleeves … and ashes on our forehead!”

This is so true Dan…thank you. Your reflection resonates with me. So often I tell people that Christianity is a way of life not for a season or Sundays. Yet, I seem to follow “a seasonal lenten program” by giving up something then going back to it after the season. May God have Mercy on us and grant us the grace to give off ourselves for His sake daily and not just for Lent…Amen

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 28 Feb 2019 11:55:43 +0000

Lent is a time of deepening faith…and sacrifice. Thank you Dan