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

Lenten Workout

Alas, we have just passed two weeks of offering up meat for Lent and I must admit it really has been a sacrifice. (What I generally do NOT admit to most is that there are more menus listed as: 'cereal' than I care to claim) I have tried a few recipes on the family such as: "Sweet Potato and Bean Burritos" and "Meatless Rendang".

Let me put it this way...after we had eaten under my creative watch for nearly a week and I informed the masses (as Dad was on a business trip) that there would be the above-mentioned "C" word for dinner, my dear son Noah whoops it up and states...and I quote..."Woohoo! Something good for dinner tonight".

I must explain to you the feelings I had at that moment. I do believe that my Lent has taken a slight bent from my intention, but isn't that always a bit true? I have had very good ideas for the past several years for Lent and had been derailed by a seemingly yearly bout of stomach flu with the kids or something that prevented me from offering what I wished to bring to God for a sacrifice.

It seems that both God and life have a better idea of from where my sacrifice should come. Perhaps it is many nights of "C" for dinner as a sacrifice. Perhaps I am learning to just be patient and, though my aim is sincere, my goal should be more to respond with grace and acceptance instead of our dear Martha in the bible who feels 'put out' that her service is not given more attention or accolades. A humbling moment for this momma, but a good lesson in itself upon reflection.