You know, I've complained before about this nutty Gregorian calendar we follow but it didn't do one bit of good, did it?
The holidays are never on the same date. None of us can keep up. And the whole thing is so imprecise that we need a leap year just to get back on track. Julius Caesar (back in the BC's) and Pope Gregory XIII in 1582 gave it their best shot to work this calendar out. But it's still so messed up.
Last year Lent began on February 22, right? But this year really takes the cake!
It began on February 13, the day BEFORE Valentines! How messed up is that? What if you were planning to give up champagne and chocolates for Lent? The day before Valentines?
It's just too much!
I don't know about you but this year I don't have the heart to go through Lent anyhow. And to make matters worse Pope Benedict has announced he's going to bail and a new Pope has to be elected. So he won't even be around during the whole blessed event.
Have been toying with the idea of giving up Lent for Lent. It's a technicality, of course, but follows the letter if not the spirit of the law. Do you think that would work, or is it a sure-fire way to spend a little time in Purgatory?
My rich employers are not Catholics, so there's no pressure around here to participate. But they do get all done up for Easter Sunday services at their local rich-people church.
If you are doing Lent this year, remember it's only six days a week. In fact last year I brought this up in an essay entitled "The Truth About Lent". On Sundays we can party down and briefly get back to business.
To my Protestant readers, I know you don't understand this or have to deal with Lent at all. But you're still obliged to get done up in your Eastern bonnets and go to church on Easter Sunday, the last day of Lent, right? So we're all in this mess together.
Just wanted to drop in and see if anyone's doing Lent this year or not. I'm reeling from guilt at not participating, but there's always next year.
All the best,
Andrew
Hello Mr. Williams. We are reading your blog for a long time, and today you make us laugh. Here we are in the Lenten time now and understand why you are reluctant. We cannot wait until Sundays to have a day off, as you say! Thank you for all the information about American rich. It is fun to read.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this sweet comment, Graziella. All the best to you, your friends and your family during this Lenten season. And please do stop by here anytime.
DeleteAndrew
What is purgatory dude?
ReplyDeleteIt's where people go who don't know how to access Wikipedia.
DeleteLOL!!!
ReplyDeleteHa!
DeleteIsn't Purgatory a ski resort in Colorado?
ReplyDeleteYes it is, Judith. And it's also a stop-over between heaven and hell!!! You're so obviously a Protestant! Ha!
DeleteMister Lucas is giving up beer for Lent.
ReplyDeleteThat thought briefly crossed my mind as well, but it didn't make it half way thru the decision making process. Ha!
DeleteLol sorry this is a little late... I'm a protestant and I just wanted to say I often do lent as well as know what purgatory is (even if I don't believe in it) : ) the thing about valentines being the day after lent started made me decide not to do it this year haha
ReplyDeleteThanks for the laugh, Anonymous! Lent before Valentine's is just asking too much, right?! Ha! I hope you'll add some initials or even a name if you keep commenting, so I can keep up with you. I always enjoy a great sense of humor!!! Too bad you don't believe in Purgatory. I feel quite sure I have a number of friends there!!!
DeleteHope you stick around,
Andrew
Thanks, Andrew. I'm really enjoying this website and find it fascinating. I'm amazed I didn't find it before just a few days ago! But anyhow, I'm catching up on your posts in my spare time!
DeleteI thought of another reason not to do Lent this year for me: my brother's birthday is the day after Valentine's... So I couldn't miss his cake! (If I had decided to fast sweets) I have a huge sweet tooth lol.
Joy M.
Thanks for writing back, Joy, and adding your name. I'm so glad you're enjoying the website, but do be warned that sobriety was not always at play in some of the essays. (Sometimes I cringe when I go back and re-read, in the light of day!)
DeleteI'm rather sure Saint Peter will exempt chocolates on his fellow-Saint's special day - Saint Valentine's Day - as not breaking Lent. But birthday cakes could be called into question.
After all, in HIS mind you might could have put the birthday party off until a Sunday, when the rules of Lent are temporarily suspended for the day. So you may have just bought yourself a couple of weeks in Purgatory, whether you belive in it or not!
(As far as I know, I do have one reader inside the Vatican, who left a comment one day. YIKES! So I have to be really, really careful what I say here. Ha!)
Andrew