Sister Jean's Lenten diary: Week 1
In which Sister Jean battles sloth and rationalization

This Lent, I've decided not to eat animals. This isn't as easy as it sounds.

Ash Wednesday:
For breakfast, I have a bowl of Grape Nuts with milk and honey. I say my St. Francis prayer:

Dear St. Francis, brother of the sun, the moon and the earth and all its creatures: Help us to watch over the animals, especially those in distress, and keep us ever mindful that the breath of God connects all His creatures. Amen.

I make a cheese spread on hardtack for lunch:
4 oz. cream cheese
4 oz. gorgonzola
Blend in a food processor on low.

For supper, a small portion of cheese tortellini and a salad, no dressing.

Thursday:
I do pretty well until suppertime (Grapenuts, falafel sandwich, tabouli salad--I know, not much of a sacrifice since I love Middle Eastern food).

However, I come home to beef barley soup Sister Dave has made. Time to choose the lesser of two evils: Throw out my soup or eat it so Mr. Cow did not die in vain. I eat the soup, rationalizing that the beef for the broth was purchased before Lent, so it doesn't count. Plus it saves a big fight with Sister Dave, who is NOT giving up eating animals for Lent.

Humility lesson: I would make a piss poor theologian and martyr.

Friday:
OK until lunchtime. I order a cheese and portobello mushroom sandwich for lunch. Instead, I get the chicken provalone sandwich. Drawing on the theological premise established Thursday--don't let Mr. Chicken die in vain--I eat the sandwich rather than send it back to the kitchen.

Memo to self: Find out patron saint of poultry and get a prayer up to him or her ASAP.

Saturday:
Today I thought I was home free. We always have pancakes, sausage and pineapple chunks for Saturday night supper at the Mother House. All's I have to do today is stay away from the sausage.

WRONG! There's that leftover beef soup from Thursday. Sloth get the better of me at lunchtime and I eat a bowl. A big one.

Let's pray for a better effort next week.