First Sunday in Lent

"Lent is like a long 'retreat' during which we can turn back into ourselves and listen to the voice of God, in order to defeat the temptations of the Evil One. It is a period of spiritual 'combat' which we must experience alongside Jesus, not with pride and presumption, but using the arms of faith: prayer, listening to the word of God and penance. In this way we will be able to celebrate Easter in truth, ready to renew the promises of our Baptism". - Pope Benedict XVI (2010)


Also: current cough remedy:

Lemon juice
Coconut oil
Honey

Mix in cup. Microwave. Follow with ginger tea.

Fasting diet continues apace. Dropped dress size. in two weeks. Am dead sure, however, that this is a diet for the tough middle-aged and not for the young (unless a matter of life or death for the young). Frankly life without any kind of bread seems unnatural, and if your brain is still developing from a child's to an adult's, it is better not to play around with low-calorie diets.. Also, this diet is heck on social life in the UK, as so much of our social life involves alcohol, sugar and flour. Developing an intolerance to bread, scones and cake is no joke after you politely partake and then feel as sick as a dog.

Ash Wednesday 2017

The Habit of Perfection 

by Gerard Manley Hopkins, SJ (1844-1889)

Elected Silence sing to me,

And beat upon my whorlèd ear,

Pipe me to pastures still and be

The music that I care to hear.

Shape nothing, lips: be lovely-dumb:

It is the shut, the curfew sent 

From there where all surrenders come

Which only makes you eloquent.

Be shellèd, eyes, with double dark

And find the uncreated light;

This ruck and reel which you remark

Coils, keeps, and teases simple sight.

Palate, the hutch of tasty lust,

Desire not to be rinsed by wine:

The can must be so sweet, the crust

So fresh that comes in fasts divine!

Nostrils, your careless breath that spend

Upon the stir and keep of pride,

What relish shall the censers send

Along the sanctuary side!

O feel-of-primrose hands, O feet

That want the yield of plushy sward,

But you shall walk the golden street, 

And you unhouse and house the Lord.

And, Poverty, be thou the bride

And now the marriage feast begun,

And lily-coloured clothes provide

Your spouse not laboured-at, nor spun.