The Lenten season began as the final preparation for the baptism of adults who had been under instruction for many months.

It is now also a preparation for the annual reaffirmation of baptismal vows at Easter. Seven responsibilities are emphasized here.

4. GIVING'

Ours is a consumer, 'musthave' society. The more toys one has, the more one is 'worth'. Secular faith says "I may win big this time".

Happiness is "I can't to take it with me but it is nice to have it to wave goodbye to" or "When we go, we'll be able to leave the kids a little money" as an advertisement for insurance says. Implication: anything else we will have left them is less important.

St. Francis of Assisi said that the only thing we can take out of this world is what we have given away while in it.

It is not how much one gives but, rather, the percentage of one's expendable income. Would that be 10%? 5%? Income tax time reminds us that the less we give to God and charity, the more Caesar takes and spends - or misspends. Lent reminds us to consider our priorities.