Which resulted in Ken doing this. Again. While sleet started coming down and the rest of his family watched from the warmth of the house.
But not me. No, I made this:
Despite the family's Lent-long meat fast.
What? Why? Why would you break your Lenten fast this close to the end, Cari?
Because this:
Today is the Solemnity of St. Joseph, which trumps Lent! So bring out the bacon, crack open the cupcakes and whatever alliterative phrases I will spare you from- point is, today we thank God for the amazing witness of good St. Joseph, who, like Ken, worked so hard to serve and protect his family.
Also, the Pope Madness! Semi Finals are posted. Click on over, give it a think, and let me know who you think should win as "Supreme Pontiff of All Time"**
(** not an actual, binding title)
I MISSED IT!!!! I needed coffee sooooo badly today and I missed it! Wailing! Gnashing of teeth!
ReplyDeleteSigh. Resignation.
I've started making bacon in the oven and I don't think I'll ever go back. Less messy and the bacon melts in your mouth. Melts, I say!
P.S. Don't you ever stop writing awesome blog titles. They're my favorite. Like smiling.
DeleteSrsly, by now you should know better than to encourage me.
DeleteI think I'm even more Catholic than you because I started eating sweets last night at 5:00 to celebrate the vigil of St. Joseph. Booyah!
ReplyDeleteSt. Joseph is our go to saint around here, and we look forward to his feast day all year, have all kinds o' stuff cooking. Love the meme!
ReplyDeleteOff topic, kinda? But obviously you concluded it is semi-okay to reveal your Lenten sacrifices without losing their spiritual benefit? I missed what you concluded about that. I am pro-reveal, by the way, no judgement here.
You know, Rebekah, after posting that article, I had so many people kindly and respectfully point out to me that God values the spirit of the law carried out in love far more than the letter of the law used as a club that it really made me re-think the whole issue.
DeleteI think that in some specific cases, like the one here, it is possible to discuss your Lenten fast without seeking earthly reward. The point of my reveal above was to highlight the happiness of today's Solemnity and to give thanks for amazing St. Joseph, and not to garner sympathy or praise for our fast. So, in that case, I think that the reveal will not harm any spiritual benefits the family may receive during the fast.
Which just goes to show how powerful Christian charity can be when practiced out of love. If I had endured a slew of "You're stupid and you're wrong!"s, I would have dug my heels in and never listened to differing views. But instead, I had a whole bunch of very kind comments like yours just now that were gentle and respectful enough to get me to pause and consider their argument.
Whoa. That was a deep response to a typically light hearted blog post!
Wow, well said! I missed following up about it, but honestly felt so sad that you were feeling like your sacrifice had been made meaningless because you wanted to show others courtesy. I had left a comment on your article, but for some reason it never showed up.
DeleteOh, so THAT'S why I cheated and had a Diet Coke yesterday!
ReplyDeleteI think I'm going to go eat some sweets and other goodies now. We already had ice cream..but St. Joseph is a big saint and all..so I think we need more.
ReplyDeleteMuch like one of my favorite "Sheavings" by Mark Shea, your bit about Ken serving and protecting his family hit home today. It's often hard for me to see how I'm serving God through serving my family in often mundane ways, but it's precisely these moments that God gives us to choose "other" over ourselves. Doing the "next practical thing," as I think Mark calls it, truly is how to reset myself when spiritual anxiety attacks my peace and leaves me stumbling in the dark! Thank you, thank you!
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome wife you are!
ReplyDeleteAnd Ken's pretty cool, too. I mean- shoveling in March? It's gettin' real up in here.
DeleteI can remember times my son shoveled in April in Michigan. He's had lots of practice !
ReplyDeleteWait - you gave up meat for lent?? Are you just showing off or ... for real????
ReplyDelete