Lent Is Here!!!!

    Lent is here...and so are meatless Friday's. What genius came up with that rule? That's old school, why should we still do it? Didn't Christ say, "It's not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth." Matthew 15:11. So why do we abstain from meat on Fridays?

    So have you ever grown apart from a friend? Perhaps a breakup? The week after the breakup you still have the habit of reaching for your phone to text that person, but then you think, "eh, better not." That event causes your normal routine to get a little tilted. That is exactly why we abstain from meat on Fridays. It is also why many people offer something up during Lent.

    The moment you open your lunch and see a PB & J rather than a BLT, it's a chance to unite with Catholics all over the world in a physical form of prayer. Fasting and abstaining is offering up our desires as a prayer for our intentions and for the entire Church. These minor sacrifices helps God prepare us for when we are tempted by the Evil One. "If I can say no to a piece of bacon, I can say no to peaking at the test answers."

    This Friday, don't think of it as not being able to have meat, but as a chance to grow in self control and having the confidence that whatever you pray for that day is more impactful. It is said that prayer without fasting is like boxing with one hand tied behind your back...this Lent, untie that second hand.