Avoiding meat on certain days of Lent - Ash Wednesday - Good Friday - Fridays between these days - routine. Fridays during Lent takes on a very different aspect from the other days - stricter regulations - typically Stations of the Cross - avoiding eating meat. Forced sacrifice - more time required for devotions - dietary restrictions - makes one think - why - what is gained - lost. End of the work week - normally means end of job stress - bedtime brings an end to all weekday obligations.
During the week - many distractions - obligations - deadlines - fill our schedules. Our response - to reduce - stress - lighten our load - schedule fewer obligations - meet less. It has become second nature for Catholics to avoid meat on Fridays - now time to also - avoid unnecessary meetings - gatherings. In Lent as we try to become holier - draw closer to Jesus - Our Savior - important to put some things on hold - make more time for - our self - God. Fridays new agenda - meet less.
Deacon Dale
