Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Lenten Outlook~Week 4

Well, we are still intact after being meatless during this week four since Ash Wednesday. I am thankful to say that my husband and children are all faring better than I had expected (note that 'cereal' is still a common dinner. *sigh*) There will be no vegetarian cookbook efforts coming from my kitchen anytime in the near future.
This morning, I was reading an article in the 'St. Louis Review', which is our Catholic Diocesan newspaper, about the origin of our sacrifice of being 'meatless' and the nature of fasting. It was very inspiring and historically the fast included, to all who were healthy, eating NOTHING all day on Wednesday (the day of Jesus' betrayal) and also on Fridays (the day of His Passion on the Cross). Over the years, the fast and sacrifice has altered to the standards the Church allows today.
It was an eye-opening day for me to ponder that any sacrifice, as dear St. Therese of Lisieux taught, offered with great love makes a great difference. I am attempting to do that. And believe me, that promise is when I realize my weak humanity.
So, it is the hope and the love that Jesus gave to us from the Cross that provides me with the strength and....joy, even....to give up this little bit of my life for a brief time.....even if it is in the form of cereal...and look forward again....to Easter.
Just in case there is any interest, I am adding a link to the article in the St. Louis Review.
http://archstl.org/archstl/post/practice-abstaining-meat-has-intere

1 comment:

sonia said...

Way to go Dobbs family! Easter is just around the corner :)