It's just a tad frustrating.

You know -- that whole "Lent" thing. Abstinence, fasting, fish on Fridays -- who thought of all this stuff, anyway? And am I really going to burn in hell if I forget and eat a burger or coney dog when I was supposed to have a fishwich?

I mean, how much of an inconvenience is that? It doesn't make me feel holier. It makes me feel rebellious. In fact, it makes me want to head on over to Outback and scarf down a 22 oz. steak (medium rare).

At least that's the way I used to think. Lent was nothing more than a time to give up candy and grumble about not eating meat one day a week. Unfortunately, that's exactly the way a lot of Catholics think today.

A big part of the problem is the fact that we don't necessarily understand all of the meaning behind what we do. Especially for someone like myself, a cradle Catholic, there were some things that we just always did. Why? Because we are Catholic, that's why.

Most adults won't buy that explanation, but it works just fine when you're in elementary school. At that age, there are plenty of things that are explained with similar explanations, so it doesn't seem unusual (e.g. because I said so, and I'm the dad here).

By the time we're old enough to question these things, we've long since simply accepted them. The sun comes up every day, gravity holds us to the ground, Catholics don't eat meat on Fridays during Lent. It's one of those "laws of nature", isn't it?

Well during the next few weeks, we'll spend some time talking about this wonderful season of Lent. I'll explain a bit about the traditions we observe, the importance of this time of year, and hopefully give you some ideas on how best to prepare yourself for the Resurrection of our Lord this Easter.

What comes to mind when you think about Lent? What sacrifices are you making, or what special things are you doing to prepare for the Paschal Mystery? (These aren't rhetorical questions, either. Use the email link below and send me your comments; I'll use as many of them as I can.)

Have a wonderful Ash Wednesday and a fantastic start to this blessed season!

Peace,
Brandon