We made our
salt dough crown of thorns again this year to use throughout Lent. It serves as a symbol to us, along with the simple twig wreaths draped with purple fabric we've placed around the house, of the solemnity of the season, and reminds us to reflect inward in prayer and fasting, reconciling our sins and preparing our hearts for the resurrection of Jesus. I've noticed a few times after Jack has seen the crown, he asks to help with certain things, like setting the table or folding laundry. In the evenings, the kids each reflect on the acts of kindness or mercy they've enacted during the days, whether it's being especially kind to a sibling or holding the door open for me (maneuvering a stroller) without being asked at the Post Office. They each get to remove one or two thorns, representing our sins, from Jesus' crown, in hopes that by the Easter, the crown will be a "Crown of Glory," free of thorns.
On his own volition, Jack decided to give up "treats" for the duration of Lent (though he's been excited for Sundays and feast days, when the fasts of Lent are lifted, as well as his birthday next month, when we told him he could have treats if he wanted to). I've given up turning on the TV for the kids, which became a daily habit when they were sick off and on so much this past month. The first couple of days of having to reject their pleas was a bit rough... my gosh, the whining... but we've turned a corner, and have once again discovered the beauty of entertaining ourselves... all day! And everyone is in better spirits as a result.
We continue to enjoy our Sabbath Sundays (which we officially initiated a few weeks ago), wherein we devote our day exclusively to family and worship- no work, no laundry, no dishes, just play and rest and hopefully giving glory to God. After Mass this morning, we had dancing, dough-playing, coloring, fun while out to eat at Steak 'n' Shake, naps (for every one of us), some relaxing runs, and more of the morning activities (while video conferencing with Grandma and Grandpa).
I saw this excerpt from
a post on CatholicMom.com tonight and thought it a powerful reminder of what Lent should be:
"Take these forty days as Jesus Christ did in the desert when he was tempted, alone and hungry and feel the hunger of your soul yearning not for the things of this world to fill your soul but for Jesus Christ. Feel the pangs of hunger and the isolation of being far from God in the sins you commit. Let these emotions be real, embrace and accept them, reflect on them and then let your heart be changed. Find your way to God. Sin is that which takes you away from God, ask for forgiveness and reconcile your relationship with God. This Lent give yourself the permission to explore, discover and change your life for the better for an eternity with Jesus Christ."
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