So here we on on our road trip to Salvation, better known as Lent. It's the second Sunday of Lent. How times flies when you're not having fun. We have a question about Sunday's in general and as they apply to Lent:
Sister, I have a question for you. My husband and I have been debating how to best keep holy the Lord's Day. Tomorrow is Sunday, for example, and I would like to go putter in the yard and work on my flower beds and vegetable garden. I enjoy yard work, it's something I struggle to find time to work on during the week, and I don't think it's a lovely way to spend a Sunday. My husband, who does not like yardwork at all, thinks it would be a sin to do yard work on Sunday. I have told him if it is truly "work" to him, then maybe it is sinful for him to do yardwork. But maybe I'm rationalizing what I want to do tomorrow. :) If working in the garden is a bad way to spend Sunday, I will find something else to do, but honestly, I feel like it's a better way to spend the day than the way my husband will spend it, in front of the tv or computer. We do, of course, go to mass and religion classes on Sunday mornings as well. What is your opinion Sister?
If yard work isn't work for you, as it is not for me (most of the time), then I can't think of a better way to spend a Sunday with your hands covered in God's creation. I learn God's simple lessons every time I'm out there.
Just when you think something is hopeless, it isn't. New leaves on old wood.
If you don't keep up with the small things they can become big things overnight.
When the plant doesn't have to spend time getting rid of it's dead stuff because you've done that for the plant, the plant looks better and is healthier. God may help those who help themselves, but he certainly smiles on those who help others.
A little effort goes a long way.
Sometimes all we need is a little food, water and sun to stay alive.
Sometimes all we need is a little shade to keep from keeling right over.
Stuff like that.
But...it's Lent. Contary to popular opinion, and wishful thinking, we don't take Sundays off during Lent, except for the pink candle Sunday. That Sunday is to remind us that the tulips are about to bloom, so to speak.
So for you, personally, I think you should poke around at your garden while you are dead tired during the week and would rather do anything than pull weeds or haul amender. On Sunday, you should look at your garden and think about all Jesus gave up for us.
Meanwhile, let's not go judging how our husbands spend the day. Maybe he's only reading about the Lord. (Maybe he's catching up on my blog! I've been at it for almost three years!) Even if he's playing on line poker, that's not a sin unless you're a Baptist.
10 comments:
I married a Baptist. According to all he's been taught, he's a big bad sinner. I keep telling him to come to the Catholic side, we have wine at church, and beer at the functions. It just boggles him that there is alcohol at a church function that isn't a Mass. But honey, your Bible says Jesus made water into wine too. And it was a wedding to boot.
Pink candle... lenten wreath? This is all new to me. Thanks for the lesson.
Sister,
My daughter, who attends Notre Dame Prep in (Dulany Valley) Towson, Maryland and I who attended the Institute of Notre Dame in Baltimore City have a disagreement about giving up things for lent. She says you can have what you gave up for Lent on Sunday, because tLent is 40 days without counting the sundays. I say no way. Who is right? The Vally girl or the Alley girl.
Alley Girl and Proud of it!
Well, I'm taking Sundays during Lent off, at least for my coffee penance. (I drink tea during the week. I'm not going to give up caffeine completely--I'm not crazy.) Anyway, after a week of tea, I had a cup of coffee this morning. Wow! It was like free-basing cocaine! Even with the clocks being set ahead because of daylight savings, I've been bouncing around the house today. Nothing like giving something up to make you appreciate it more!
Martha
Never heard of the Lent wreath.
I thought Sister was referring to the rose-colored vestments (and altar linens, etc.) that are used on the 4th Sunday of Lent... but then I followed the link. I've never heard of a Lenten wreath, either! Is it relatively new?
Candles are relaxing, and having something to 'mark off' is encouraging, so perhaps it's a good thing for people to use if daunted by six whole weeks. I think I personally would get confused which season I was marking, though. :)
If you're gonna give it up for Lent... give it up! No Sunday cheating I say.
I don't know about a pink candle but the vestments for the fourth Sunday of Lent (Latarae Sunday?) are pink. I too thought that Sundays don't count as part of Lent because it's 40 days not counting Sundays.
Laetare Sunday is the second of the two days in the Liturgical Calendar on which rose or pink vestments are used. The first, of course, is Gaudette Sunday, the 3d Sunday in Advent.
I have several friends that are catholic. I am not.
They are crazy and not to religious but do go to mass once a week.
They never go to confession as they say they are to old to sin. I have met their priest and I would not go to confession, if I was catholic.
One friend gave up buying fabric for lent. One gave up nothing, because she said she had nothing to give up.
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