It's ash Wednesday. Personally, I've got a lot to give up or "put on hold" if I choose to fast properly. Ode and I had a chat on the human instinct or perhaps better way to put it is the human weakness, one that's hard to abstain from cos it's human to want it. On the other hand there's vices OR doing things relatively over the top to the Lent season. I seem to fail at fasting that I thank God I was not a Muslim. I admire the Hindus and the Muslims for their regard to fast. I think I should even wipe off the dust on my bible and start reading it even. After all, I am a Catholic, proud to be one, pledged to die as one. Why not find out the worth of it?
Anyway, let's start with what's Ash Wednesday? An excerpt from Wikipedia:
In the Roman Catholic Church, Ash Wednesday is observed by fasting, abstinence from meat, and repentance—a day of contemplating one's transgressions.
The priest or minister says one of the following when applying the ashes:
The start of Lent is also a huge celebration of festivity in many countries like the Brazilian Carnival. An excerpt from Wikipedia:
The Carnival of Brazil, properly spelled "Carnaval" in Portuguese, is an annual festival in Brazil held forty days before Easter. On certain days of Lent, Roman Catholics and some other Christians traditionally abstained from the consumption of meat and poultry, hence the term "carnival," from carnelevare, "to remove (literally, "raise") meat."[1] Carnival celebrations are believed to have roots in the pagan festival of Saturnalia, which, adapted to Christianity, became a farewell to bad things in a season of religious discipline to practice repentance and prepare for Christ's death and resurrection.
Anyway, let's start with what's Ash Wednesday? An excerpt from Wikipedia:
In the Roman Catholic Church, Ash Wednesday is observed by fasting, abstinence from meat, and repentance—a day of contemplating one's transgressions.
The priest or minister says one of the following when applying the ashes:
Remember, O man, that you are dust, and unto dust you shall return.
Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel.
On Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, Roman Catholics between the ages of 18 and 59 are permitted to consume only one full meal, which may be supplemented by two smaller meals, which together should not equal the full meal. Some Roman Catholics will go beyond the minimum obligations demanded by the Church and undertake a complete fast or a bread and water fast. Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are also days of abstinence from meat (for those Catholics age 14 and over), as are all Fridays in Lent. Some Roman Catholics continue fasting during the whole of Lent,[citation needed] as was the Church's traditional requirement,[citation needed] concluding only after the celebration of the Easter Vigil.Repent, and hear the good news.
The start of Lent is also a huge celebration of festivity in many countries like the Brazilian Carnival. An excerpt from Wikipedia:
The Carnival of Brazil, properly spelled "Carnaval" in Portuguese, is an annual festival in Brazil held forty days before Easter. On certain days of Lent, Roman Catholics and some other Christians traditionally abstained from the consumption of meat and poultry, hence the term "carnival," from carnelevare, "to remove (literally, "raise") meat."[1] Carnival celebrations are believed to have roots in the pagan festival of Saturnalia, which, adapted to Christianity, became a farewell to bad things in a season of religious discipline to practice repentance and prepare for Christ's death and resurrection.
Carnival is the most famous holiday in Brazil and has become an event of huge proportions. The country stops completely for almost a week and festivities are intense, day and night, mainly in coastal cities. [2] The consumption of beer accounts for 80% of annual consumption and tourism receives 70% of annual visitors. The government distributes condoms and launches awareness campaigns at this time to prevent AIDS dissemination.
My friend Rodrigo from Brazil told me that they hardly sleep during this time cos they can't even sleep in the first place due to the noise and apparently according to my friend Brian, during this time, men get to just touch women freely and they wouldn't even mind. Hmmm...
I just went off track haven't I?
3 comments:
:)
Just stick to Bangkok...
hahaha
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