Ash Wednesday

Lent begins. Today's Gospel reading from Matthew 6 reminds us of the 4 things to be practiced during these 40 days of conversion and renewal: good-works, almsgiving, prayer and fasting.

Half of the community didn't show up for lunch today because they were on full fast - no food at all. Very examplary. I had lentil soup with 2 pieces of dry bread. I guess I'll skip dinner tonight.

Well some guys confirmed my feeling that the weather is awefully cold - colder than Dec. 2008. They said it's never been so cold this last winter. We're all wrapped up as the winds whip about with a cold dry cut.

Weather forecast is storm this Friday. It's going to be the big one everyone is waiting for. The forecasters say the temperature will fall to 2 degrees by Saturday. Lots of rain, hail and graupel. Snow for higher places (hopefully Jerusalem!) I'm wrapping up and staying in!