Happy St. Patrick's Day! (What does that even mean?!)

I am sitting at my desk, decked out in green.  I even have super cute green striped socks on. I am ready for St. Patrick's day. But why?

Ever wonder why we celebrate St. Patrick's Day?! More importantly, do you ever wonder how it became a day that encourages many to drink in excess and not think anything of it? I sure do. Every year I wonder how the world began celebrating alcohol instead of this great missionary Saint's life.

Today I decided I was going to blog about why we celebrate this day...the real reason. As I sat down to blog I found that a great friend of mine must have woken up with the exact same thought! Her blog about green beer, St. Patrick, and the Saints gets right to the point. SO, instead of me re-inventing the wheel, check out HER blog!

And for a little bit of education (and entertainment) about St. Patrick check out this video. It pretty much made my morning.

Ready...Sent...LENT!

So, we made it. It is Ash Wednesday. We have indulged. We have celebrated. We have decided (for the most part) what we are going give up/take on in order to enter more fully into this season. Party hats and all things celebratory are tucked away. Our "Gloria's" and "Alleluias" have been sung one last time.  We are here. 

It. Is. Lent.

Now what?

Did anybody else wake up today thinking that today should feel different? Like all of the talk of "giving up" and "sacrificing" left you with this pressure that on Ash Wednesday you should wake up and suddenly life should be lived differently? I certainly woke up today to the reality that I am very much the same as I was yesterday. Same exhaustion in the morning, same short comings, same everything. Today, though, I was very aware of those short comings. "ugh, bring on 40 days of being SUPER discouraged and very aware of my every fault" I thought. Then  I remembered, we are joining Christ on a JOURNEY here. This journey is not meant for 40 days of discouragement but 40 days of allowing Him to purify us, rid us of those things that keep us from returning to Him with our whole heart. (If you haven't read today's readings be sure to! They are amazing!)

 We are not expected to be perfect at our Lenten sacrifice first thing in the morning on Ash Wednesday. In fact, we should be allowing ourselves to give Him our imperfection in these things over the next 40 days and let Him change our hearts, minds, souls and actions. After all, isn't it supposed to be about His work IN us and not how amazing we are at successfully living out our sacrifices? Right. 

Still not sure what Lent is really all about? Need more specifics about what, why and how? Check out my friend Bob's blog for an amazing breakdown of what we do and why!

Still not sure what to give up/take-on? Our friends at CatholicYouthMinistry.com have put together a pretty sweet list of suggestions that can help get your thought process started!

One of the best ways to focus during Lent is to find ways to seek Christ more, and spend time with others who are doing the same. Be sure to check out our calendar (here on the blog!) for more information about Stations and Soup, Taize, Sunday Youth Group and other events we will have available here at St. Andrew's!!

Don't forget..."Even now, says the LORD,

return to me with your whole heart..." 

That is what He wants from each of us this Lent. Our whole heart. Are you ready? 

Ready...Set...Lent...