Lent Story Deserved a More Serious Approach

I am writing about the article that appeared on Ash Wednesday (Feb. 17) titled “Plenty of Leeway on Lent,” by Mary Rourke.

Are you unaware that Rourke’s underlying tone of bitter sarcasm toward the sacred rituals of Christianity come resoundingly through? Or is that the intent? Doesn’t a 2,000-year-old religion deserve a more serious approach, or do you believe your readers are always looking for a chuckle?

First of all, the title of the article implies a laxness in Christians’ attitudes toward the holy Easter season, yet when one reads past the glib comparisons to Wagnerian opera and drama, one discovers some beautiful stories of faith, which prompts people to do different things during Lent to honor Christ’s suffering.

Moreover, since so much space was devoted to the article, I found it disappointing that relevant factual information--such as would interest many readers--was absent: When did formal observance on Lent begin? What is Stations of the Cross? What do the “bells and smells” actually signify? What do the ashes represent?

It truly puzzles me why you accept religious stories from your writers that are appallingly shallow--at times even caustic.

Do you believe this is what your readership wants--especially in this time, when so many people are confused and hungering for God?

TINA LORGE

Laguna Beach