Ash Wednesday

Complete abstinence is easier than perfect moderation. — Saint Augustine

The season of Lent begins and many of us are still pondering, “What do I give up for Lent?” In earlier Lents I learned that Constantine knew what he was talking about. “Perfect moderation” is a bear. Better just give up martinis for Lent than try to perfectly  limit our consumption.

Lent is not just about “giving up oatmeal raisin cookies,” it’s about a new way of life filled with prayer, worship, service to others, reading about spiritual things, and Constantine’s perfect moderation, but that doesn’t mean a boring or miserable forty days, just the opposite. It’s more like football’s spring practice where we develop the game plan for the upcoming season and develop the skills necessary to succeed in the fall.

Might I suggest that you set aside a segment of time to engage in meditation, prayer, and spiritual reading every day. The other elements of Lent will follow without much effort or pain. I hope you will join me in your journey.