Happy Ash Wednesday and a Blessed Lent

THE CATHOLIC KNIGHT: I have come to find Lent a time of liberation. When I first became Catholic, the whole concept of Lent was confusing to me. Not because I didn't understand it, but because it seemed to me that it wasn't being observed the way it ought to be. For example, the parishes in my area would all drain their baptismal fonts, and put up thorny bushes as decorations. Well, I don't care for thorny bushes, as for some reason I always seemed to get caught up in them one way or another. As for the drained fonts, they seemed to have stopped doing that now. Still the sombre mood remains, and frankly I don't get it. Yes, from dust we came and from dust we shall return, but I find nothing depressing about this. Actually, I'll be rather glad to get rid of this tattered tent in which I currently reside. I'm looking forward to that mansion in heaven. (I believe the 'mansions' to be a reference to the glorified bodies that await us.) To me, Lent offers an opportunity for detachment. It's an opportunity to start letting go of the things in our lives that get in the way of God. Giving up meat on Fridays, and fasting on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday is one way of doing that. Giving up the sweets and sugars throughout Lent is another way. This year however, I've decided to do something different in addition to the customary things. I'm going to start giving stuff away. Yes, that's right. I've got a house full of clutter, things that are useful, but I never use. Yes, I have too much. I'm going to start by donating many of my books to the local library. Next comes clothing. Am I sombre about it? No way! I'm glad I can finally rid myself of these things I don't need, and others might find useful. Isn't that what Lent is about? Letting go? Trusting God? What could possibly be sombre about this? I'm actually enjoying it!