How is the season of Lent different from other seasons? This is the season in which we tend to the spiritual tasks of penance, prayer, fasting, and almsgiving in order to deepen our experience of God’s presence and strengthen our faith.

One of the things we stand to lose in a society dedicated to rugged individualism is a sense of our connectedness. No person may be an island, but many of us live as if we are. A recent statistic notes that nearly one-third of all Americans live in a household of one.

Now Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wild. For 40 wilderness days and nights he was tested by the Devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when the time was up he was hungry.

Some old-timers look back fondly at all that used to be a part of Lenten fasting and abstinence. Some felt it provided them with benefits beyond the spiritual renewal intended.

Some cousins from Ireland came for a visit and all the clan gathered for a feast. Before the first bite was taken, we stopped to pray

No more bargains. I’m giving up bargaining for Lent. Not the shopping-discounts or market-bazaar kind of bargaining—I’m no good at that anyway. Show me an overpriced item, and I guarantee it’s already in my shopping cart or on my shelf at home.

As this Lenten season of repentance and joy begins, we ask God to sustain us and show us mercy.

“The food of real love is sacrifice.”