Ash Wednesday 2013

Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent.  Some Catholic bloggers have expressed the concern that the news of Pope Benedict’s resignation would take away from the Lenten observance.  I do not think so, but we will see how many will show up to have their foreheads marked with ashes.

I am coming to realize that Lent can be a time to deepen one’s spiritual life.  When we enter more intensely into the spiritual practices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving; we can find ourselves out of our comfort zone.  It is then that God can enter in and transform us.

There are a couple of links I would like to share, that can help us get a good start this Lent.  One is from Father Austin Fleming, author of “A Concord Pastor Comments.”  And another is from Mary DeTurris Poust, who writes the “Not Strictly Spiritual” blog.