Lent 2024

Written By Darren Butler

The party is over. Mardi Gras 2024 has come to an end, and here we are at Ash Wednesday. In the Christian faith, today is the beginning of Lent. It lasts 40 days. It is a time of testing, trial, penance, purification, and renewal. The timing takes us right up to Easter. Now, whether you are of the Christian faith or not, I think everyone could use a little Lent observance right about now.

In this tradition, there is a misconception that drives me batty. People say, “I’m giving up_______ for Lent.” No. Wrong. Let’s rethink that. You are supposed to discipline yourself against something that is potentially tempting. You see, that’s where the testing and trial comes in. If you discipline yourself against eating chocolate for example, then when you are tempted to eat chocolate you’re supposed to do some self-reflecting. It could be something very personal or something about your faith journey. In hand with this disciplining, you are supposed to do something positive for yourself. Examples of that might be to commit to exercise, yoga, meditating, or anything that brings you to a more positive self.

I’ve been struggling with my choices for a Lenten promise. But, I was reminded the other day, how I “went off” on The Facebook over this Taylor Swift/Travis Kelce stuff. Frustrated over people jumping to conclusions, I referred to them as “idiots.” Now, if you know me - that’s really not in my character. I’m really sorry for saying that. With that in mind, I’ve made a list of things that “WE” as a people should consider for Lenten promises. Imagine what our worlds would be like if we -

Disciplined ourselves AGAINST:

  • Hate

  • Racism

  • Bigotry

  • Anti-semitism (HE was Jewish…did you forget that?)

  • Using social media as our only news source

  • Jumping to conclusions

  • Being negative

  • Living in “the sky is always falling mentality”

  • Judging people

  • Being all up in the Swift/Kelce relationship in a negative manner - Just be happy for them.

  • Pushing far right or far left agendas.

Do something positive for yourself like:

  • Speaking kinds words to everyone around you

  • Post nothing but positive, kind, forward-thinking social media posts for the next 40 days

  • LISTEN to the people around you

  • Journal

  • Mediatate

  • Exercise or do yoga

  • Eat healthy

  • Learn something new

  • Read a book!

  • Call an old friend you haven’t talked to in a long time

  • Befriend an elderly or shut-in person

  • Learn about a culture you’re not familiar with

  • Consider another person’s point of view without judgment

  • Just LOVE people. (That was HIS message to begin with in case you forgot.)

Yes, I know this is radical. It might even lead to 40 days of peace and positivity. Our world is a broken place. There is no way to mend the world unless we take positive steps towards change.

Happy Lent everyone!

Darren Butler
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2024- “Mine”