Creative Lenten Idea #1

I've never sold anything on Ebay. I hope to change that. I'd like to see what happens when I offer up some of my excess stuff (that's actually still worth something) and funnel it through Ebay.

I figured out how to upload something on Ebay. The auction will end on Ash Wednesday - just in time for me to generate a little money for the poor.

I think I just might try to post one item each day.

If you have a creative Lenten idea, please post it in the comment box. I'd love to hear your ideas.

Creative Lenten Idea #1

When Talking to Non-Catholics About Lent and Ash Wednesday...

(The Lent 2010 Catholic By Grace Column is reposted here for you. Feel free to hit the share button and pass it on.)

Non-Catholics don’t always understand Catholic faith practices. One Catholic tradition that sometimes perplexes non-Catholics is our Lenten sacrifices. Many years ago, I worked in a restaurant. The owner and all the waitresses were Catholic. My sister and I were the only non-Catholic employees – and we were both the daughters of a Protestant minister. For us, Lent was a time of watching Catholics . . . and wondering.

We served a fair amount of fish during Lent, rather than our usual orders of sandwiches and fried chicken. And our boss and the other waitresses ate the perch, pike and shell fish on Fridays - as did the patrons.

The topic of Lenten sacrifice came up every shift I worked. The other waitresses would poll one another. “What did you give up for Lent?” The answers varied. Some said candy, or Pauline’s homemade pies, or soda.

I have to say, I didn’t get it back then. I thought that Catholics did those things so that they would feel holy. I used to think it was a waste of time and effort. I knew there was little gained from feeling holy. One had to be holy.

I didn’t realize that faithful Catholics have a simple reason for everything that they do. They know they are not yet holy, but they want to become holy. Their number one desire is to be a saint.

And that’s what Lent is all about.

We die to ourselves, remembering our baptismal promises, and we hope to rise with Jesus Christ when Lent comes to an end. Every prayer, sacrifice, Mass, devotion and offering we make is to embrace the journey of faith that leads to holiness.

These things that we do as Catholics change us – or more accurately stated, the things that we do become a venue for God to change us. And I realize now that it does work, sometimes so slowly that others can’t detect the changes in the few short weeks of Lent. But it does work . . . in time. And so, Catholics keep at it.

There is a reason why Catholic schools and hospitals have a crucifix in every room. They help young students to learn to follow Christ in his living; they help the sick and dying to become like Christ in his dying.

There is a reason why the Catholic calendar takes us from Advent and then into Christmas, from Lent and then into Easter. The faithful want to journey with Christ – in order to rise with Him when it is all said and done.

Your non-Catholic family and friends may ask you what you gave up this year. It is possible, likely even, that they are really asking a far different question.

Why do you do all this stuff?

Make sure they know that you do it because you are not yet a saint . . . but if you walk in the footsteps of Our Lord long enough, He will change you. In time, they will see the change in you and begin to understand.

May you find that you are walking in step with Him as you journey to the cross. And may the bystanders see you at the side of Christ and begin to put it together. We are not yet holy, but we are opening every part of our lives to the One who can make us holy.

Blessed Lent!

When Talking to Non-Catholics About Lent and Ash Wednesday...

Last Chance Opportunity

Nine full days until Lent.

Some people are probably thinking that means nine more days before they have to give up their favorite things. Some people aren't thinking about Lent one way or the other.

But then there are those who are really trying to think of the right sacrifice for this year. And the time period of nine days is like a little bell ringing.

Nine days! Why, I could do a novena. Just enough time remaining for a novena!

If you don't know what Our Lord wants from you this Lent, spend nine days in prayer and ask him to reveal it to you. Lent should be transformational. You plan everything else in your life. Why not take nine days and spend a few moments in prayer? But you should know something first. . . Lent can really change you!

Check out the clip below and consider his Sacrifice. . .

Last Chance Opportunity