for those ladies seeking more answers about LENT

I sat in on the RCIA class this past sunday after mass and we all discussed the significance of lent and it's symbolisms. The ashes on our head symbolize a humbling of ones self. to remind us that we will one day ourselves turn to ash. it's a reminder to keep the real important things (god, family, good will) into focus. We mark ourselves as sinners and walk around with that mark to show our observance and will for penance on those sins. Also, by keeping our ashes on it's also a sign that we are not ashamed of our god and what he calls on us to do. We let down our ego and stop worrying about the ashes on our forhead that others may think look silly...and take time to realize that we submit to a higher power

'Remember man, that Thou art dust and unto dust Thou shalt return!'

Lent is also about Sacrifice. Wether it be physical things such as food, clothes, alcohol etc...or sacrifice of ones time to help another. Sacrificing ones general demeanor to take time and be more patient with those around us. WE sacrifice as a small way of remembering how god sacrificed his only son...and how jesus sacrificed his life for the forgiveness of our sins. Fasting is also a way of 'clearing the mind' through self control. It teaches us to be stronger in our convictions. How can we say we'd do anything to recieve gods grace if we can't give up the everyday things we take for granted.

here is a great link that explains more


http://www.americancatholic.org/newsletters/CU/ac0302.asp#F1


also, I liked these ideas posted on the same site to promote the awareness of this holy day

Bowl of Ashes
To keep our memory sharp, place a bowl of ashes or dirt on the family coffee or dining table. Throughout these forty days, let us not hesitate to sift through the ashes as a gesture of remembering.
—Catholic Update

Lenten Activity
Fill a shallow tray with potting soil and grass seed. Place this in a basket. Throughout Lent watch the grass begin to grow, and reflect on the journey from death to new life.
—Holy Bells and Wonderful Smells:
Year-Round Activities for Classrooms and Families

Thanks for taking the time to give us the info.

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Posted by Soon2beAlberti

I sat in on the RCIA class this past sunday after mass and we all discussed the significance of lent and it's symbolisms. The ashes on our head symbolize a humbling of ones self. to remind us that we will one day ourselves turn to ash. it's a reminder to keep the real important things (god, family, good will) into focus. We mark ourselves as sinners and walk around with that mark to show our observance and will for penance on those sins. Also, by keeping our ashes on it's also a sign that we are not ashamed of our god and what he calls on us to do. We let down our ego and stop worrying about the ashes on our forhead that others may think look silly...and take time to realize that we submit to a higher power

'Remember man, that Thou art dust and unto dust Thou shalt return!'

Lent is also about Sacrifice. Wether it be physical things such as food, clothes, alcohol etc...or sacrifice of ones time to help another. Sacrificing ones general demeanor to take time and be more patient with those around us. WE sacrifice as a small way of remembering how god sacrificed his only son...and how jesus sacrificed his life for the forgiveness of our sins. Fasting is also a way of 'clearing the mind' through self control. It teaches us to be stronger in our convictions. How can we say we'd do anything to recieve gods grace if we can't give up the everyday things we take for granted.

here is a great link that explains more


http://www.americancatholic.org/newsletters/CU/ac0302.asp#F1


also, I liked these ideas posted on the same site to promote the awareness of this holy day

Bowl of Ashes
To keep our memory sharp, place a bowl of ashes or dirt on the family coffee or dining table. Throughout these forty days, let us not hesitate to sift through the ashes as a gesture of remembering.
—Catholic Update

Lenten Activity
Fill a shallow tray with potting soil and grass seed. Place this in a basket. Throughout Lent watch the grass begin to grow, and reflect on the journey from death to new life.
—Holy Bells and Wonderful Smells:
Year-Round Activities for Classrooms and Families

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interesting. thx for sharing.

one thing that came to mind while reading that i thought id share was when you said 'How can we say we'd do anything to recieve gods grace if we can't give up the everyday things we take for granted,' the great thing not to forget is that God's word/the Bible says grace is freely given to those who accept and follow Christ (even though we don't deserve it) and isn't received through our acts (Ephesians 2:8; Romans 3:20, 28; Galatians 2:16). Acts can show our devotion, conviction, obedience...which is great, but they don't 'win' us grace. Its such a great reassurance (bc as much as we try, we're not going to ever be 'good enough'...thats where the need for Christ's sacrifice comes in), so I thought Id just share that.

Acts/deeds are discussed in the Bible in such a way to suggest that, yes, real faith will produce works as a result (our conviction will lead us to want to do good deeds in other words), but it is not that they lead to salvation, if that makes sense.

hope you dont mind me chiming in. i like these kinds of discussions

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Posted by Aug07OFCbride

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Posted by Soon2beAlberti

I sat in on the RCIA class this past sunday after mass and we all discussed the significance of lent and it's symbolisms. The ashes on our head symbolize a humbling of ones self. to remind us that we will one day ourselves turn to ash. it's a reminder to keep the real important things (god, family, good will) into focus. We mark ourselves as sinners and walk around with that mark to show our observance and will for penance on those sins. Also, by keeping our ashes on it's also a sign that we are not ashamed of our god and what he calls on us to do. We let down our ego and stop worrying about the ashes on our forhead that others may think look silly...and take time to realize that we submit to a higher power

'Remember man, that Thou art dust and unto dust Thou shalt return!'

Lent is also about Sacrifice. Wether it be physical things such as food, clothes, alcohol etc...or sacrifice of ones time to help another. Sacrificing ones general demeanor to take time and be more patient with those around us. WE sacrifice as a small way of remembering how god sacrificed his only son...and how jesus sacrificed his life for the forgiveness of our sins. Fasting is also a way of 'clearing the mind' through self control. It teaches us to be stronger in our convictions. How can we say we'd do anything to recieve gods grace if we can't give up the everyday things we take for granted.

here is a great link that explains more


http://www.americancatholic.org/newsletters/CU/ac0302.asp#F1


also, I liked these ideas posted on the same site to promote the awareness of this holy day

Bowl of Ashes
To keep our memory sharp, place a bowl of ashes or dirt on the family coffee or dining table. Throughout these forty days, let us not hesitate to sift through the ashes as a gesture of remembering.
—Catholic Update

Lenten Activity
Fill a shallow tray with potting soil and grass seed. Place this in a basket. Throughout Lent watch the grass begin to grow, and reflect on the journey from death to new life.
—Holy Bells and Wonderful Smells:
Year-Round Activities for Classrooms and Families

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interesting. thx for sharing.

one thing that came to mind while reading that i thought id share was when you said 'How can we say we'd do anything to recieve gods grace if we can't give up the everyday things we take for granted,' the great thing not to forget is that God's word/the Bible says grace is freely given to those who accept and follow Christ (even though we don't deserve it) and isn't received through our acts (Ephesians 2:8; Romans 3:20, 28; Galatians 2:16). Acts can show our devotion, conviction, obedience...which is great, but they don't 'win' us grace. Its such a great reassurance (bc as much as we try, we're not going to ever be 'good enough'...thats where the need for Christ's sacrifice comes in), so I thought Id just share that.

Acts/deeds are discussed in the Bible in such a way to suggest that, yes, real faith will produce works as a result (our conviction will lead us to want to do good deeds in other words), but it is not that they lead to salvation, if that makes sense.

hope you dont mind me chiming in. i like these kinds of discussions

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nope I don't mind...ur absolutely right. I just feel like we can't ...or rather shouldn't expect to be selfish all the time and get goodness in our lives. I know god loves us all and will give his grace freely to those undeserving of it...but I also kind of feel when you open yourself up to him...you get the most out of life...because you even learn to see the positive in what may be considered negative things.