Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust

Its that season of the year again - LENT - the spiritual air filled with talk of fasting and praying and abstaining along with the hoo-ha of sacrificing, alms giving and the wearing of sackcloth (really??) and ashes! Makes me wonder what Jeez (that's how I usually address Jesus - to all those rolling their eyes in disbelief - yes He is my friend and God & yes He doesnt mind so why should you? :)) would say if He were to listen in on some very animated arguements on the rules - what should and should not be done during Lent. And 'btw' not just during Lent, there are some who cant not live without these superfluous, ridiculous all be it 'man-made' rules. Who go a step further and try and pin their fanciful opinions and silly rules on poor Jeez himself!

Reminds me of the Pharisees who questioned Jesus when He looked the other way instead of reprimanding his disciples for not washing their hands (a ritual requisit back in the day) before consuming food. At this point strains from an old hymn come to mind: 'Lord Jesus you know if you're looking below, its worse now than then'!

I really dont get these pseudo-spiritual gooblygoonks and the fuss they kick up over trivial matters. For Christ's sake isnt Lent more a period of fasting from saying a harsh word, praying an intercession prayer with a friend and abstaining from feelings of envy, hatred and anger that eat up your peace and damage your soul? Why then do people think it is a time to lay off the food, pray for an hour and a half more at exactly the same time everyday and abstain from consuming meat or pork - as if doing all of this will get you heavenly brownie points or have a bearing on the well being of your SOUL!!

So to all those who propagate their extremely hypocritical opinions and expect others to agree and follow suit, I have this to say : 'I have a personal relationship with Jeez and am quite capable of forming my own opinions thank you'. Why dont you all go get a life, develop a spiritually fulfilling relationship with your creator and discover the things that really matter in this journey we're on to Eternal Life!! Afterall the only thing you carry in your backpack to eternity is your own SOUL!!