Today the great fast begins. I recall in years past feeling dread of the cold dark days of Lent, fear of feeling hungry, of being deprived. I can thankfully say this year I am simply excited and ready for it! I know it will be hard and there's a good probability I'll be limping in the end (figuratively speaking), but this season is so useful for getting back on track.
I won't share what we've all decided to do and give up because "don't let your right hand know what the left is doing", but I will say it's a mixture of things that we are both not doing/eating, and also what we are doing. All but the youngest two (ages almost 2 and 5) have their lists ready. This season is not only for penance and dying to ourselves, but also for the building of virtue, both of which bring us closer to Christ. There are a lot of lists and ideas online as well if you need inspiration!
Visual cues are huge for us. Not only are the kids inspired to ask a lot of questions by the things they see, they remind us all what our purpose is in this life. Particularly, certain Lenten decor gives us constant reminders of the somber season we're in.
On our family altar I placed a skull as a reminder of our mortality. Our days are numbered, and once an opportunity to gain a certain grace has passed it will not be offered to us again.
Over the window above the mantel shelf I hung a crown of thorns from the Holy Land. This particular crown was fashioned from bushes that are believed to be the same kind which were used for Christ's crown of thorns. I ordered the crown of thorns here.
About a week ago I found a beautiful vintage picture of the Agony in the Garden at a thrift store for $15. It was the change the top of this bookcase needed. I put the snake plant (sansevieria or mother's in law tongue) beside because it makes me think of Judas' betrayal. It needs a new pot, but the spirit of Lent suggests that the ugly plastic one it currently calls home will do fine for now. Let's chalk that one up to mortification of the senses for me!
For the dining room centerpiece I snipped some lilac branches and placed them in the demijohn with water. I hope they start budding! We shall see, and we've been studying it to detect any changes in the buds. They represent the struggle to grow through Lent, and the new life that was given to us through the Redemption.
The Resurrection garden we made a few years ago again becomes the tiny stage upon which the Death and Resurrection of Our Lord is played out. Good Friday at 3 p.m. the stone is rolled over the tomb. It remains closed until Easter Sunday morning.
Living our Faith out loud is a work always in progress, and has often been a struggle for me because of fear of other's opinions. It was a fear that took a long time to conquer. As a high school student I was deeply affected by the sermon of one of our priests who stated that you could not even tell which homes were Catholic anymore. In times past you could enter a home, immediately spot a crucifix, and knew where you were. This sermon struck a chord with me, and while I sorrowfully admit I went through a phase of spiritual aloofness where I was fearful of using "too much religious decor" for fear of appearing "pious" to guests, I always made sure there was a crucifix on the most visible wall. There is no commandment that says you have to have walls full of religious artwork, but a compelling thought for me was this: if I was hesitant in displaying my Faith on a wall, what will Our Lord have to say to me when I ask for admittance to our heavenly home?
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