Season of Lent

[Edward]

Interesting to read the above above piercings and tattoos, (as I am thinking of having both done.!)

I'm planning a few tats myself - including one that nods to my late cat. I figure that if the Big Guy is going to come down on me for breaking those rules in Leviticus, I'm already in trouble for eating bacon / shaving the sides of my head, both forbidden in exactly the same chapter.

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

I'm planning a few tats myself - including one that nods to my late cat. I figure that if the Big Guy is going to come down on me for breaking those rules in Leviticus, I'm already in trouble for eating bacon / shaving the sides of my head, both forbidden in exactly the same chapter.

I shall have to read that and see what it says.

 

[LizzieMaine]

I'm planning a few tats myself - including one that nods to my late cat. I figure that if the Big Guy is going to come down on me for breaking those rules in Leviticus, I'm already in trouble for eating bacon / shaving the sides of my head, both forbidden in exactly the same chapter.

And watch out for wearing garments made of blended kinds of fiber. I always knew poly-cotton was a sin.

 

[Edward]

And watch out for wearing garments made of blended kinds of fiber. I always knew poly-cotton was a sin.

Yeah, I'm in trouble there too....

 

[Edward]

I shall have to read that and see what it says.

Start with Leviticus 19 - http://biblehub.com/niv/leviticus/19.htm

There was a great book written some ten or more years ago, called The Year of living Biblically in which the author recorded his experiences while trying to spend a year living strictly to the rules in the OT. Interesting stuff; I must get hold of a copy.

 

[LizzieMaine]

As I recall, he had some problems when the time came for him to stone adulterers to death.

 

[TimeWarpWife]

Start with Leviticus 19 - http://biblehub.com/niv/leviticus/19.htm

There was a great book written some ten or more years ago, called The Year of living Biblically in which the author recorded his experiences while trying to spend a year living strictly to the rules in the OT. Interesting stuff; I must get hold of a copy.

Actually the TV series based on the book will be premiering on CBS, Monday, Feb. 26 at 9:30 p.m. EST. I started reading the book, but it just wasn't my cup of tea so I didn't finish it. Probably won't watch the TV show.

 

[Edward]

Actually the TV series based on the book will be premiering on CBS, Monday, Feb. 26 at 9:30 p.m. EST. I started reading the book, but it just wasn't my cup of tea so I didn't finish it. Probably won't watch the TV show.

Oh, I hadn't heard about the TV show. Hopefully it will get a run over here.

 

[dnjan]

For the past two years, our church has had a "don't give up chocolate for Lent" campaign. The idea is to do something positive for yourself/society.
They even hand out cards with a list of possible things to do. Stapled to each card is a small piece of candy.

 

[Tiki Tom]

I recently found myself visiting with a Coptic acquaintance. Afterwards, both my wife and I confessed to having been awed by that person’s very deep and shock-proof faith. We also have Greek Orthodox friends who’s faith is the rock on which their lives are built. While my wife and I admire these people greatly, we both acknowledge that we personally seem to come from strains of Protestantism that emphasize practicality and not being demonstrative of private matters. It might be a North vs Mediterranean view of things too. Probably not something that lends itself to quick and neat explanations. That said, I confess to being humbled by people of sincere, modest, through-and-through faith when I occasionally meet them.

As for lent, I guess (if I’m being honest with myself) I’ll just go about my normal routines, but hopefully with a little more self-awareness and contemplation.

 

[belfastboy]

And watch out for wearing garments made of blended kinds of fiber. I always knew poly-cotton was a sin.

Geez, you mean we actually agree on something!!!

 

[belfastboy]

I recently found myself visiting with a Coptic acquaintance. Afterwards, both my wife and I confessed to having been awed by that person’s very deep and shock-proof faith. We also have Greek Orthodox friends who’s faith is the rock on which their lives are built. While my wife and I admire these people greatly, we both also acknowledge that we personally seem to come from strains of Protestantism that emphasize practicality and not being demonstrative of private matters. It might be a North vs Mediterranean view of things too. Probably not something that lends itself to quick and neat explanations. That said, I confess to being humbled by people of sincere, modest, through-and-through faith when I occasionally meet them.

As for lent, I guess (if I’m being honest with myself) I’ll just go about my normal routines, but hopefully with a little more self-awareness and contemplation.

My wife and I (a life long Protestant) for the last 6 months have been 'inquirers' into Orthodoxy. We are about to become Catechumens and pursue baptism. I am still in a bit of shock that I am doing this but here I am.

To me the Sunday liturgy is incredibly compelling and beautiful. It is a time for me to spend 2 hours immersed in the contemplation of the divine. I read that if Martin Luther had turned to Orthodoxy he may have found what he was seeking and the reformation need not have taken place. I have yet to investigate that but it is an interesting perspective. We have decided to dive into the deep end and will follow a strict Lent and be vegan for the 46 days of Orthodox Lent. Discovered Oat milk is not a bad substitute for cow's milk so my morning coffee is safe.

 

[Tiki Tom]

Spend a bit of Holy Saturday in Turin (virtually, of course), listening to an ancient liturgy in a giant gothic cathedral, while viewing a live-stream of the Shroud of Turin? Why not? It is not as if I have hot plans to go out and socialize on Saturday night.

"From 5pm on Holy Saturday, Archbishop Nosiglia of Turin will preside over a long liturgy of prayer in the chapel, and “during that time of contemplation” the image of the Holy Shroud will be made available to the whole world."

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/churc...d-of-turin-on-holy-saturday-livestreamed.html​

 

[Harp]

Lent is a period of introspection with certain past life episodes revisited, a taking of stock, temporal as well as spiritual.
Habitual practices, food, drink are seldom altered to accommodate Catholicism; laxity serves innate purpose and brief fasts
seem to accomplish little outside of nominal observance. I do however spend more time among the Franciscans at St Peter's,
often marveling at this particular order's holiness, devotion, and community service. And being suitably chastised by being humbled.

St Peter's is closed by See order due to the virus as are all Catholic churches within the Chicago Archdiocese,
Holy Week therefore dispensed of formal observance leaving Lenten fast a seemingly more personal choice or penance.
Catholic ritual such as fish served Friday and such I largely casually observe since fish isn't any sacrifice for me
because I relish seafood and otherwise indifferent to dietary restrictions. A bachelor who seldom cooks is a beggar
to his eat on the run/available lifestyle. But this period of the year does give cause for reflection; all the more so
now amidst pandemonium. Luck to all here in the Lounge.

 

[belfastboy]

Hope this is not too controversial. As the Season of Lent is coming, I wonder if anyone on FL does anything during this period. Fasting, giving something up etc. I know many people will give up sugar, sweets, candy, chocolates etc, waking an hour or two earlier than normal etc. I am considering my options.

I missed this thread so very late to the dance. My wife and I are in the 'inquiry" stage of exploration of Eastern Orthodoxy but strongly considering entering into the 'catechumen ' process. We decided, 'in for a penny, in for a pound" and are fully embracing keeping a true Orthodox Lent. We are in week 6 of a strict vegan diet (except we are allowed shell fish and a bit of wine on weekends). It has been a wonderful, fun experience. It has challenged our culinary creativity but my wife bless her, is great at finding substitutes for eggs & milk for her baking. We have 10 days to go...Orthodox Easter Sunday in not until the 19th this year. We will return to being omnivores once Lent is complete but will keep some of the dishes we have cooled. Nt because they are vegan but because they are so tasty. My wife also gave up chocolate which for her is huge. I cheated once and ate an OhHenry bar....justifying it as NOT being a chocolate bar but a mere candy bar.

 

[belfastboy]

My wife and I abstain every year, always from the more pleasurable food and drink. We give up eating meat, anything confectionery, that includes chocolates, biscuits, meal time desserts, sweet drinks like coca-cola. We also abstain from alcohol. We usually end lent a good few pounds lighter.

I am 6 weeks into a strict vegan Lent (no alcohol, chocolate, chips etc) most disappointed as I have only lost 4 pounds....hoping for about 10.

 

[belfastboy]

And watch out for wearing garments made of blended kinds of fiber. I always knew poly-cotton was a sin.

Okay, here is a sin that I do not commit....never blended fibres. I am guilty of having worn all poly though....blame it on the baseball uniforms these days. If you watched Seinfeld you know the danger all cotton uniforms present.

 

[Harp]

I cheated once and ate an OhHenry bar....justifying it as NOT being a chocolate bar but a mere candy bar.

Don't feel bad. Once, in a moment of probable temporary insanity, I decided to give up coffee for Lent.
That lasted three days of absolute agony and withdrawl.

 

[GHT]

Our Lenten sacrifice, I call it that because I know how Harp felt about fasting coffee for six weeks, every year we go without the simple pleasures that we enjoy which include, meat, but not fish, alcohol, desserts, anything sweet like chocolates and ice cream. We get creative with our diet, for example. A meal called: Sorrento-style pork slices, I replace the pork with a large portobello mushroom and I add some pasta to fill the plate. It's really rather good. But Easter Sunday is in sight, the roast beef and all the trimmings, with a glass or three of Merlot, followed by half a chocolate Easter egg, inverted, filled with ice cream and a generous glass of Bailey's poured over it awaits. I can almost smell it.

 

[belfastboy]

Don't feel bad. Once, in a moment of probable temporary insanity, I decided to give up coffee for Lent.
That lasted three days of absolute agony and withdrawl.

Yes, if coffee had been on the NoGo list this whole Lent thing would be out the window. Outside of Lent we fast 2 days a week allowing for jasmine tea in the morning. It is hard to do. Coffee is, luckily, the closest thing I have to an addiction.