Traditionally Lent is a season of fasting, surrendering food (or certain types of food, or other things), in solidarity with Jesus’ own experience and in recognition that we too crave God above all else.  While Lent often invites rigorous discipline, it need not be grim.  We don’t need to dress in sack cloth or smear our faces with ashes.  If anything, we should take better care of our bodies, hold our heads up to receive the light of God, and step out in extra acts of kindness and support of our brothers and sisters in need.  With whatever practice you choose, know you are “fasting” toward joy, Easter, life, hope.  We simplify.  We let go of the importance of things.  We go silent.  But we do all this as we move in faith toward hope.  We move toward God.