Today is Fat Tuesday – Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent.
Lent is a time of fasting, prayer, confession and repentance for believers. Lent is not required anywhere in scriptures, but it has been a custom practiced by Christians for the 2000 years since Jesus was crucified.
In many languages, the word “Lent” actually means “fast.” This is where the custom of giving up something for Lent originated. However, true Lenten disciplines can have a positive spin: Fast from discontent; feast on gratitude. Fast from pessimism; feast on optimism.
Personally, this Lent I am going to fast from worry and feast on faith.
What are your plans for Lent?