The Next 40 Days

It is here!! The day after Fat Tuesday...after you have over eaten and for some of you the last time to be bad..... Ash Wednesday has arrived. I attended mass yesterday which always produces that "feel good" feeling. It's different in Texas where almost half the population consists of Mexican Americans....our mass was bilingual. The cool thing is when you understand both languages and you know when the priest intereprets it from spanish to english it was not the same story. In spanish he spoke of the past Pope referred to as "Papa" in latin countries yet didnt mention that story in english. To me that is funny because Latin America does put a strong emphasis on the Pope yet Catholics here in America do not as much. The pastor's story began of how we should better ourselves for the future and use these 40 days to make a better us. Lent ...the days of Fasting, not Dieting..the days of Mending, not Rending..you give alms and you pray. I think everyone whether they are catholic or not should just stop to take time...maybe fast a day or two and really see the value of everyday life which we take for granted. Don't eat that big steak or don't buy those fancy shoes and give money to that guy who u pass by on the way to work everyday. Some people are not as fortunate to come out of hard times. ..Just a thought as i go through this ascesis (bodily discipline) the next 40 days.