Deeper Meanings and Intentions

When I was younger I was intrigued by the idea of Lent.  We didn't practice it in the Assemblies of God church, nor is it practiced in my current Baptist church.  I remember seeing the Catholic kids in drama club coming into rehearsal with ashes on their foreheads, and I remember people sort of jokingly saying they were giving up chocolate for Lent, or perhaps something they don't really do or use, anyway.

As a young adult, I think I tried Lent once or twice, giving up one stupid little thing and failing within a week and just giving it up all together.  I'm not sure why.  I think I just liked the aesthetic of following a tradition, similar to New Year's Resolutions.  There was no deeper meaning, intention, or understanding behind it.

This year has been different.  I really wanted to truly participate in Lent.  I wanted the self-discipline to draw closer to God and pull away from self.  I still knew very little when I started, but my heart was in a different place.  I haven't held fast to my myriad of Lenten decisions, but I have grown in understanding and I have thought eagerly about next year's Lent and what I would like to do.

I'm still learning about what Lent truly is, but it is so much more than a "work."

The liturgical calendar is so fascinating to me, now.  Especially since I realized that the Jewish people of old followed a liturgical calendar (and many still do) of their own.  The Catholic liturgical calendar and practices mirrors that of Judaism.