I started discussing the idea of lent with Nick on Tuesday. I wasn't raised in the Catholic tradition so it was as simple as I had no clue what this was about. Nick tried to explain for me but I still had more questions.
We ended up talking about it in my Christian class on Wednesday (which happened to be ash Wednesday). My prof defined it as "a time when you give something up to be able to remember about all of those who don't have what you have."
I think that this whole idea sounds kind of silly. Deny yourself something just because somebody else doesn't have what you do. It's a very weird form of social justice and social interaction. So instead of me giving up something that somebody else doesn't have, I'm going to give somebody something that I have.
I live in a community downtown where you see homelessness everyday. There are regulars around that I have began to recognize as some of the "street people". I can't make all of their problem go away, but I can make scarves, hats and blankets. Winters in Alberta are long and cold and people like these can't afford items like these. I'm starting right away and I'm going to make as many scarves and hats (and maybe a few blankets) as I can so that I can donate them to the bissel center at the beginning of next winter.
Any who wish to join in this effort, you would be more than welcome. I can teach you how to knit and crochet.
Let's see how big of a box we can make in a few months.
Joce: I need to go and see that "reuse center" that you know of. I'm going to need a lot of yarn, the cheaper the better.
And I'm throwing around the idea of doing some serious christmas baking next year and giving it to the local women's shelters. They don't get things like that because of their circumstances.
Everybody do your part to help out somebody else in your community who really needs it, even if it only feels like a small help
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2 comments:
WOW mel, what a way to do something for a "religious" reason, I think that you have come up with a great solution. I think I had started a scarf a while ago and never finished. you may have just inspired me to actually finish it!
PS the reuse centre is ope after 12 and might be open on saturday. other wise 12-5 kind of thing and NOT on Mondays
Hey Mel,
Just a little more clarifiaction on the definition and purpose of Lent. Lent is not simply about giving up something to remember that other people don't have the things we do. It is in fact about exactly what you are doing. Traditionally the "thing" you give up would have been something that cost you money (or trade items.) Since you would no longer be using these things and you would not need to buy them, you would be saving money. This saved money would then be donated or given to the poor and needy as "alms". Also, Shrove Tuesday, Ash Wednesday and the Lent season are not only observed by the Catholics but by many other Christian denominations.
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