In the last issue of U.S. Catholic Annemarie Scobey writes, in an article titled "Closed for Lent,"that the analogy of Lent as a desert has never worked for her since she lives in Milwaukee where the weather this time of year is far from desert-like. For those of us who live in similar climates she suggests that Lent might more helpfully be compared to a snow storm that shuts down the area. No school. Only essential personnel report to work.
She writes, "Lent, when done right should begin by shutting everything down. Last year's blizzard turned what would have been a typically complicated day into a very simple one. All six of us home together, shoveling and eating vegetable soup. It can be hard to determine what in our lives is essential if we never take time to step away. Lent provides the opportunity to take a spiritual snow day. It is a time of closing some of the non-essentials in our lives."
She suggests that we pencil in time for nothing during Lent.
(This wren house has been in my yard for several years and no bird has tried it out. Maybe they have all lost their religion?)
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