Friday of the First Week of Lent
February 26, 2010
Why is it that an all-beef hot dog or burger seems more mouth watering during Lent, when some are obliged to abstain from meat?
The forbidden often seems more attractive, but even the mere sacrifice of meat on Friday can remind us of our need for penance and unite us more closely with Jesus today. That's the crucial link, because otherwise the choice of what we eat today is simply driven by what's in the refrigerator, what looks good on the menu, or what is most healthy. The sacrifice is a gift, freely given, consciously made, united in prayer to Jesus' passion.