INSALENT

ASHES

• In Lent, Ash is very important. At Ash Wednesday, Lent starts, as well as getting ash on the forehead.

RICE BOWL

• The Rice Bowl is a cardboard box you get, and you put money in the box inspired by faith. The money goes to the less fortunate. It is a key idea of Lent because in Lent, you give to the less fortunate.

SIMPLICITY

• Lent is simple. You give up something for 40 days, just as Jesus did in the desert. But there is also a lot meaning to it, as most simple things are. Lent is about bring there for God, and respecting him.

WALK

• Faith is a lot like walking. You keep walking in a straight path, towards God, but sometimes you get distracted and go off another trail. But somehow, for doing simple things (such as going to mass, or participating in Lent), can get you back on the straight and narrow.

BIBLE

• In the Bible, Jesus gave up 40 days of his life to prepare himself for ascending into heaven. He fasted and prayed. Lent is inspired by that story.

PRACTICE

• In Christianity, practice is perfect. We are all practicing Christianity and striving to be like Jesus.

PRAYER

• In Lent, if we are having a hard time giving up something, we can pray to God. He is always there for us.

EMPTY

• Sometimes, our life is empty, like a water bottle. We are just in a slump. God will refill that water bottle by being there for you, in certain ways like Lent.

FISH FRIDAY

• We are fish in God's ocean. Even though the ocean (Christianity) may seem scary, it isn't in the fish's eyes.

QUIET

• Prayer is quiet. Sometimes it is together, but it is mostly quiet. And in those quiet times, we can truly talk to God. It isn't when we're loud and unhappy. It's when we are ready to talk and listen to God.

GATHERING

• Lent is all about gathering. We gather as a community, and appreciate God's gift of love.

MOTIVATION

• In Lent, sometimes, we have a hard time giving something up. We need motivation to get through it.

SACRIFICE

• In Lent, we need to sacrifice certain things we are close to, to feel what Jesus went through while being in the desert 40 days.

CALL

• God is calling us. Can you hear him? He is calling you to walk into the door of his faith. The door is always open. He isn't forcing you. So take a peek beyond the door. He's waiting.

SACREMENT, #tbt

• Communion is a sacrament in which you receive the body and blood of Jesus. In Lent, we rejoice when we receive our communion.

MERCY #wwjd

• We show mercy by giving up a certain item for lent.
• Jesus showed mercy by surviving 40 days in the desert.

SERVICE

• In Christianity, service is a big factor. God helped other people, just like you should, too. In Lent, we can remember that.

REST

• On the seventh day of creating the world, God rested.
• While in the desert for 40 days, Jesus rested and fasted.
• In Lent, you need to give the item you gave up a REST.
• Give it a rest!

CHURCH

• Going to church in Lent is an important thing. Mass reminds you of how important you are in life, and also helps you to persevere giving something up for 40 days.

REFLECTION

• Reflections are important in Lent. Heck, I'm even writing a reflection right now! They can connect you with God in ways you couldn't think of. It's kind of like writing a letter to God. And he always writes back.

#strength

• Jesus had strength when he survived 40 days in the desert.
• We show strength by giving up something for Lent.

#community

• Jesus knew the Holy Spirit was all about community.
• In Lent, we celebrate community by being close to each other.

#journal

• I guess the Bible is kind of like a journal; Matthew, Mark, Luke & John all recorded their adventures with Jesus.
• In Lent, we can record our adventures & times with Jesus too.

CREATION #tbt

• Jesus blessed us with the gift of creation.
• In Lent, we can celebrate the act of creation.

MEATLESS MEAL

• On Friday, you fast meat. You need to be aware of that going into Lent. However, it is your choice to fast meat.

CLIMB

• In Lent, you have to climb towards your goal of giving something. God will help you on the way of climbing the 'mountain of perseverance'.

#embrace

• When we are in Lent, we embrace Christianity as well as Jesus by fasting certain foods or items.

#purple

• Purple is the color of wealth, royalty and loyalty. In Lent, we can admire Jesus' royalty and wealth, as well as being loyal to him.

#bread

• Bread is one of the most important things of Christianity. It is the body of Jesus, and it is an honor to receive the Eucharist.

SOLITUDE

• Being in solitude connects you to God. Being away from all the loudness and drama can really bring you close with Him. This is important to Lent, as you are giving up something for God.

HANDWRITTEN

• The Gospels are handwritten. They are from Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John's point of view. In Lent, we can read the handwritten gospels and think about them.

TIME

• Time is everything for Lent. You have 40 days to give something up, and pretty soon, Lent will be done and it will be Easter. Enjoy it.

CANDLES

• Candles are lit during Lent. They represent light and holiness.

#help

• In Christianity, we always need help. We need help from God and Jesus. Sometimes, in Lent, we need help to

#tea

• Lent is perfect. The last letter of Lent is "t". You know what else is perfect? Tea.

CLOVER

• A clover usually has 3 sides. Saint Patrick compared a clover to God. The Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit are the 3 sides of clovers.

LOVED ONES

• Everyone knows they have loved ones. In Lent, we can reflect on that and be closer to our loved one.s

RED

• Red is the color of wine, which Jesus' says is his blood.

PALMS

• There is a Palm Sunday, which occurs during Lent.

OPEN

• Lent is open to anyone. It doesn't matter what race, what "anything" you are. You are welcome. The door is open.

CHARITY

• Charity is the voluntary giving of help. When you are a Christian, you practice charity all the time.

FOLLOW

• In Lent, we follow Jesus. We follow his every word. He loves us and cares for us. He doesn't care if we follow him, he is open.

WATER

• Water is the blood of Jesus. It is holy, as well as refreshing. In Lent, we rejoice when touching the holy water and making the sign of the cross.

PASSION

• Christianity is our passion. We embrace and own up to it. It is our duty.

VIGIL

• Vigil means, a period of keeping awake during the time usually spent asleep, especially to keep watch or pray. This is important in Christianity.

LIGHT

• God is our light. Whenever there is darkness, God will light the way. He is our burning flame.