We rise again from ashes...

We rise again from ashes,

from the good we've failed to do.

We rise again from ashes,

to create ourselves anew.

If all our world is ashes,

then must our lives be true,

an offering of ashes, an offering to you.

Ashes, by Tom Conry

Even though Lent starts later this year than ususal, it's still a surprise that it begins today.  Growing up and attending Catholic school, I can remember how some of my classmates would try to "out do" each other in what all they were giving up.  But what were we giving up?  Big things:  candy, chocolate, chewing gum, television, fighting with siblings.  I don't know if anyone ever succeeded on that last one!

Lent is not about what things we "give up" as much as what we do that will make us a better person at the end of Lent.  Perhaps it's reading and praying with scripture every day not just when I can find time or praying the rosary.  Perhaps it's attending daily Mass or praying part of The Liturgy of the Hours.  It's activities such as this that help us to grow and develop our relationship with Christ. 

And the best part is that at the end of Lent, these activities will be so much a part of our daily routine that we will carry them into our daily life after Easter morning dawns (and we begin endulging our sweet tooth again!).