Some of the greatest joys in my life are the relationships I've formed within the family. And none are more joyous than the one I share with Patty Hawk Chappie. She is my wife's younger sister. When you see Mary Kay and Patty side by side, you know they're sisters. Some have even asked me if they are twins.
In my last post about Lent, I mentioned my "wonderful and Catholic sister-in-law." Patty is a loyal reader of ChurchRequel.com and she wrote a beautiful comment about my latest post. It was so good I thought it deserved it's own post. So here is Lent... according to Patty. This is what she wrote on Facebook:
Enjoyed reading your blog Mark! Lent is a always such a spiritual reflective time for me! ( BTW- I gave up more than chocolate! I also have a revitalized commitment to do for others). I love the traditions of Lent (not in the Bible), focused on remembering Jesus' teachings, resistance of temptation, his sacrifice (gift) to us and renewing our lives to try to live what Jesus taught us in the Bible. It is the very essence of Spring!
And here is what Patty wrote in the comments of the Church Requel blog:
Welcome to Lent Mark! In response to your above reference to chocolate... if you have already given it up and it is of no self discipline or matter of sacrifice then "No... it doesn't count!" The idea is to remember what Jesus did for each of us and to do things for Jesus! So giving up things as well as doing things that Jesus spent his whole life teaching us to do as his followers, spending time in reflection and prayer...THAT is what happens during Lent! It is important to spend a special time to refocus on our spiritual commitment and place. One may argue that everyday we should focus on prayer, self discipline and doing for others...no doubt I agree! But like all things... daily things done without a revitalization become lost in the shuffle... "Why do we do this everyday without thinking?" Lent is a special tradition if you will... a time to remember,reflect, reconcile, pray, renew and celebrate... and to be ever so humbled by Jesus' death and resurrection for each of us. This is nothing I know you don't already realize. It has always been a HUGE part of our Catholic Faith, and I have been deeply touched by and thankful for that. Another tidbit about Lent... the ashes used on our foreheads to make the sign of a cross are from the palms we get on Palm Sunday and have in our homes throughout the year. I also agree with the extra time spent with my fellow church community... it is a wonderful gathering together for extra services, stations of the cross, socializing at Fish Fries, sharing in the joy of new members of the church being baptized at the Easter Vigil on Saturday evening before Easter. I hope your Lent is full of spiritual witness,growth, reflection, and community...You always did have good ideas!!! I enjoyed your article... thanks!
Patty, thanks so much for your input and your reminder of the true meaning of Lent. As I mentioned in my last blog post, I'm observing Lent this year in my own personal devotional life by reading through the gospel of Matthew and the commentary from N.T. Wright in Lent For Everyone from YouVersion.com. And... no orange marmalade! :-)
