I know you’re probably thinking, “What is Peace talking about?” This Wednesday is the beginning of Lent, were Christians observe prayer, fasting, and almsgiving for the forty days leading up to Easter. I know some of you are saying – who cares? I get it. When I was a pagan I didn’t pay attention to any Christian Holiday with the exception of Christmas because it fell around Yule. I also celebrated Halloween when I was a pagan because it was basically Samhain. We can debate the orgins of the Christian and Pagan holidays until we’re all blue in the face. It doesn’t matter becasue history is only important only if we learn from the mistakes of the past and celebrate the past triumphs of the spirit. Pistol whipping people to prove your position is correct will never convince anyone. People know truth when they hear it, even if they are in denial. My motto is pray, hope, and don’t worry. When we all die, some people will be wrong and some people will be right. At that point it’s too late to change sides one way or another. It is better to follow what the song says – “Live like you are dying.”
Now, back from my tangent, LOL. I call Lent the Spiritual New Year’s because people tend to give up habits or addictions for Lent, trying to break a bad habit or get healthier at God’s expense, LOL. This year, I’ve been trying to figure out what I want to give up or take on for a spiritual sacrifice. I’ve narrowed down some ideas, but I am choosing to keep them to myself to prevent ya’ll from calling me out! I decided to give up one thing and take on another habit – both spiritually enriching vs. health-conscious. I am also not going to do what some Christians go – take off the Sundays in Lent because Sunday is the sabbath and a day of celebration for the Lord’s Resurrection. Taking off on Sunday is nonsense. Jesus was in the desert for 40 days and nights – fasting and praying. No where did the Bible say that he took Saturdays off for the Jewish Sabbath. Also, let’s say you’re trying to stop a grievous sin like promiscuity or a lesser sin like profanity – you’re honestly going to say you can say or do either of these sins on the Sabbath because it’s the celebration of the Lord’s Resurrection? Again, let’s use the brain that God gave us. Even if Lent doesn’t work out to be exactly 40 days, taking out days to make your fast equal 40 days is not a real Lenten obeservance and it is not in the true sprirt of uniting our sufferings with Christ.
So to Christians – Happy Lent and Happy Spiritual New Year’s! To everyone else – Happy Ramadan! Happy Imbolc! Happy Tu Bi Shavet! Happy Maha Shivaratri! Happy Lunar New Year! And Happy Ramakrishna Jayanti! If none of those holidays covers your current beliefs, Today is the National ‘I want Butterscotch’ Day. So have yourself a Butterscotch and smile because you’re alive.
Until next time, Peace out!
R.R. Peace, Author and Poet 