Remember You Are Dust and to Dust You Shall Return...

Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. I went to Mass and received the ashes. Due to a medical condition, I cannot fast. I have decided to go a little bit harder on myself in denying other things I enjoy:

1) No television, not even on Sundays when we may legitimately break the fast.

2) Limiting myself to one hour of internet a day unless it is school related.

3) I have a penance cord made out of hemp twine. I've decided just now to where that. The hemp is very coarse and it itches.

4) I'm going to read the Diary of St. Faustina and the New Testament. I tried to do this another Lent and I did not succeed. I found other things to do. I want to do it this time.

Of course the idea of Lent is to model Jesus' fast in the desert. The intention is to open our spiritual eyes to see God more clearly. Fasting humbles us so that we can be totally at the mercy of God.

The Church maintains that our fasts must not be so strict and rigorous that we become uncharitable in the process. It goes against the spirit of Lent. Fasting is supposed to help us become more charitable.

Anyway, I'm pretty sure I've spent more time on the internet than I should have today. I'm going to get off it now.

Have a blessed Lent.

Pax Christi,
Kara