Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Christian season of Lent, when many people tend to respond by boycotting candy, soda and other guilty pleasures until Easter. Because that's what you're supposed to do, right?

Not quite.

"The idea of giving something up is to create a feeling of emptiness in yourself and open yourself to God's presence," said the Rev. Mike Duda of the First Church in Wenham.

It's also a time of deep personal reflection, said the Rev. Manny Faria of St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Beverly. "It's taking stock of our own lives, and seeing where we fall short and what we need to work on."

But the message can often get lost.

Read it all.

Filed under: * Anglican - Episcopal • Episcopal Church (TEC) • * Christian Life / Church Life • Church Year / Liturgical Seasons • Lent • Parish Ministry • * Religion News & Commentary • Other Churches

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