Lent rightly used good. Lent wrongly used bad.

Segmenting is possible for every spiritual practice, such as worship only on Sundays. I have no problem with the idea of a penitent attitude leading up to Easter, in contrast to a normal or celebratory attitude. I see it as a preparation for the return of the Bridegroom (Mark 2:19-20). The fast marks that Christ was taken away in death. It looks forward to the celebration of his return to life. Surely Lent can be done wrongly as a way to impress God, as a way to make a display to man. The ashes on the head are an easy target. There is always the concern that this obvious mark be flaunted before people or be seen as earning God s favor. Such is the case with every single act of spirituality from Communion to Baptism. Doug gives good cautions, but I don t see these as enough to avoid the practice altogether. More God-consciousness in the routine of life is to be preferred over less.