...and March Madness

Today is also the beginning of a different sort of Madness in March. One that is particularly amplified this year due to the calendar.

Yep, for the next 4 days, some or many of us will be involved in washing a stranger's hands and feet, eating unleavened bread and lamb, visiting other churches before midnight, performing the Stations of the Cross, welcoming new members into the church, and finding out that there are a heck of a lot of people that show up on Easter Sunday versus your average Sunday mass.

I know a lot has been made about declining attendance, but truth be told I think most people still feel a connection with their faith. I don't think I've ever been to a church that hasn't been full of people on Christmas and Easter (my church in particular has to overflow into 2 separate locations). I just think that there is a disconnect, people feel very compelled to be at mass on Christmas and Easter, but much less so on a weekly or daily basis. I'm not sure if there is a way to gradually alter the mindset on this.

Bonus thought:
A lot of people have remarked that Lent this year has felt particularly shorter. What may be the case is that a lot of people have already forgotten how early Ash Wednesday was, and normally how you may be rebelling against any Lenten promises in mid-April, rather than late March.