Lenten Links

For those of us in the west, Lent begins this Wednesday. I've spent the last few weeks collecting some links related to Lent, and I'm posting them now so that you'll have a chance to read them before the season actually starts!

Here's a meditation from James M. Kushiner over at Touchstone, which includes such excellence as this:

For that reason each Lent with its various stages can be viewed as part of a whole year, and each year part of a long life of turning, and returning, toward the light of the Gospel. The "Good Thief" turned toward that Light, even at the eleventh hour. It is never too late to begin, nor is it ever too early to start. Every season, every day, every hour, Jesus welcomes us on the Road. "Come, take up your cross, and follow Me! My yoke is easy, and my burden is light. And find rest for your souls." Tired? Tired of the same old sin? There is rest and strength at hand for the weary who put their trust in Him. The dawn is here, and sunrise is at hand. Turn and return, again. It does not matter how many times we've fallen. Time to get up!

bearing blog talks about deciding her fast by first thinking about what virtue she needs most to work on, and then choosing a fast that will support the growth of that virtue. I really like this idea.

This one's just practical, I'm afraid, it's my last year's list of vegetarian recipes, for the use of those giving up meat during Lent.

Ann has an idea on candlelight for the last week of Lent that I find intriguing.

This one isn't ostensibly Lenten, but bearing blog's post on how to use St. Francis de Sales' Introduction to the Devout Life would be great pre-Lenten reading, especially if you're at all interested in using de Sales' writings as a guide to prayer during Lent.

I like the Erin Manning's observation that, "One of the soberly funny facts of life is that Lent is much easier when you've been backsliding."

And here is an Orthodox take on Lent.

I hope some or all of these are helpful to you as you prepare for the Great Fast!

Peace of Christ to you,

Jessica Snell