As we approach Ash Wednesday, I can not help thinking about the analogy of the overflowing parking lot of the neighborhood health club on Jan. 1 and the church parking lot on Ash Wednesday.

The health club is full of well intentioned people, who are determined, this year, to keep their New Year’s resolution. This year will be different, they will get in shape!

Ash Wednesday. The church parking lot is full of well intentioned Catholics, starting Lent with the familiar mark of ashes, proclaiming repentance and mortality. Unfortunately, for some, this will be the extent of their Lenten participation. Again, for some, this is one of the few days in the year that an effort is made to participate in any liturgy.

On a scale of importance, receiving ashes is way down on the list of Church priorities. It is, however, a good way to start Lent.

In the liturgical calendar, it is Christmas that seems to be the focal point of most Catholics. This is understandable, as the birth of a child; especially the Christ Child, is a joyous event. The preparation for Christmas or Advent happens amidst a celebratory atmosphere. There are parties, traditional movies, music, songs and other festivities that accompany the build up to the big event: Christmas!

Not too long after the Christmas season comes Lent. This is a time for a preparation of an entirely different kind. Lent is a time to recognize our sinfulness and to ponder what was done for our redemption. Lent is a time of meditation and reflection. We look inward to see how we need to change. We identify our faults and our weaknesses.

This is not fun. This is goes against our nature and ego. But like anything worthwhile, preparation is an integral part of anything that is important. Ask any bride-to-be and ask their fiancée about preparation!

In the past, if you are old enough to remember Ed Sullivan or Bonanza, Lent meant giving up something you liked. If you went to Catholic School, you were given a “Mite Box” to fill with the money that would otherwise go for candy. “Giving up” was the mainstay of Lent.

I am sure that many of us still follow some of that tradition even to this day. Old habits –and for that matter, old traditions ­– are hard to break.

After Vatican II, the approach to Lent changed. The emphasis went from doing without something to doing something positive. Instead of giving up candy, or ice cream, or beer, we might better go out of our way to help someone, volunteer our time, call someone we have hurt or, even more difficult, someone who has hurt us.

I have a friend who decided that for Lent, he would be nice to a particular co-worker. This may sound a rather easy assignment, however, this co-worker had a knack, no, a talent of bringing out the worst in people. All through that Lent, I admired and was amused by the extent of self control exhibited by my friend. Even those not aware of the Lenten sacrifice, noticed the Christian attitude shown toward this very difficult person.

This is an affirmative way to imitate Jesus in our preparation for Easter. It is Easter, after all, which is the focal point, the center of our Catholic Faith. Christmas is certainly important, as the miraculous virgin birth of our King is celebrated. But it is not the birth of Jesus that has redeemed mankind, it is the Resurrection.

Easter brings mankind back to Communion with God. It is the Resurrection that gives us life everlasting. If Jesus was born and died, without the Resurrection, we have nothing. It is for that reason that we are Christians: the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

This year, Ash Wednesday is March 9. For reasons dictated by the lunar calendar, Easter is as late as it can be. This gives us a little more time to consider how we are going to use this Lent.

Will we start and finish Lent with ashes? Will we use the many liturgies that will be made available in our parish? Can we make a call to someone who needs it? Can we be kinder? Maybe we will revert back to old traditions and give something up.

And even if that health club membership has become more of a health club donation, the visit to the church parking lot on Ash Wednesday can be a good beginning.

And if receiving ashes is the cause for anyone to come into church and be in the presence the Blessed Sacrament, it is a good thing. It is often said that God draws straight with crooked lines. Who knows what will cause a drifting Catholic to have their faith ignited? A kind word or a moving homily just might spark a flame.

There is certainly no better time for all of us to rekindle the fire of our faith. Lent can be an important personal revelation, if we try.

Just think of what Jesus gave up for us.

Brogan is a parishioner of St. Thomas More Parish, Manalapan.