Ash Wednesday

Yesterday was Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday. One last attempt to hold on to the unreal world of fleeting pleasures before Lent confronts us with the reality of our mortality. Dust you are and to dust you will return. One common Mardi Gras accessory? The mask. Today we take off the mask and step out of the shadows and face reality. We’re sinners. We’re weak. We’re dying. We need forgiveness. We need grace. We’re not going to make it on our own.

What am I giving up for Lent? With God’s help, I’m going to try to give up defending myself.

Here’s nine more things to consider giving up for Lent.