Yesterday was Ash Wednesday. It signifies the start of the Lenten season which culminates with the celebration of Easter. This year Easter falls on April 20, 2014.
But I am getting way ahead.
Aside from strictly observing the no meat on Fridays rule, I have not come up with a valid 'sacrifice' to offer for the 40 days of Lent.
This brings me to an observation. For me, growing up in the Catholic faith and having been educated in Catholic schools run by nuns, the meat-less Fridays of Lent was strictly enforced by my parents.
So I didn't know any better and up to this day, I still follow this 'rule'. I always thought it was a tradition that was observed by all Catholics, worldwide. It wasn't until I came back home for good in 2001 to our mostly Catholic nation, that I noticed some parishioners don't adhere to this tradition.
In my younger days, I used to be quite upset about seeing people eat meat on Lent Fridays. At first I thought perhaps they were of a different faith. Until I saw the person who was seated beside me in Church having lunch at a KFC outlet. Heh!
Now I am more tolerant as I accept the fact that they may eat meat on Fridays but it still doesn't make them any less Catholic than me. They were perhaps reared differently from my upbringing.
Luckily, I married someone who also adheres to this no meat on Lenten Fridays rule. In fact, I remember it was one of the very first questions I interrogated him on when we first started dating almost 7 years ago. It turns out my fears where unjustified as he is much more 'holier' than I imagined so we are a good match! =)