By marking our heads with ashes as a sign of repentance on Ash Wednesday, our Lenten season began. Lent is set aside to help us remember important events that form our faith. For forty days we prepare for Easter, when we celebrate Jesus’ rising from the dead and the salvation it gained for us. Lent is represented with the color purple, a traditional symbol both for penance and for royalty, a reminder that we are guilty of sin and that Jesus is Lord of heaven and earth. It is the greatest feast of the Catholic Church.

Amidst the hustle and bustle and challenges of life, it is important to make time for Lent. It is too easy to forget the immense privilege we have as Christians. When we take time to actually think about what we can “do” for Lent instead of what we are not going to do, chances are we may experience the blessings of the season in new and wonderful ways. It’s worth a try! By deeply experiencing our 40-day journey of love, all the more blessed and joyful Easter will be for us.