DEAR EDITOR: Interesting is it not, that Lent should fall right after Carnival or rather that Carnival is planned to precede Lent on an annual basis? Interesting, after man gives way to his id-like qualities, lets loose, plays himself and abandons himself in things of the world, he is called to attend to matters of the Spirit.

I find these all interesting. Lent and Carnival bear some similarity. Carnival allows us to free ourselves, although temporarily, of all cares. It, like alcohol, intoxicates us; makes us free of inhibitions. We surrender ourselves to the intense merriment that Carnival allows. Lent however, frees us of burdens in a different way. It makes us recognise that we can surrender to the Omnipotent one. We can “let go and let God.”

Carnival is indeed ritualistic, so too is Lent. Many look at their calendars on the first day of the New Year and they know that those two days inked in red, somewhere in late February or early March, represent Carnival.

The question is sometimes asked by the middle of the preceding year, “So when is Carnival next year?” Everyone knows that the day after Carnival Tuesday is Ash Wednesday -- the day Catholics go to church and get that cross of ashes on their foreheads.

In reflection, a few questions kept coming to mind. “What is the real significance of our Ash Wednesday ritual?” “Why do I attend Mass on Ash Wednesday?” In response to my reflection, I realised that there was merit in doing this every year and that purpose was reinforcement.

Why do we fast? Why do we not eat meat on Wednesdays and Fridays? Why do we try to abstain from those things that inhibit us in deepening our relationship with Jesus? Why all this on the heels of Carnival?

The reason is that although we free up our minds and bodies, the temporary amnesia that exists for those two days (or rather six if we say that the action begins from Carnival Thursday) is quite volatile and evades the mind at midnight after last lap. Who do we turn to surrender ourselves? None other than the one who knows all things and can handle all things.

Many of my Christian counterparts would say, “Look at those hypocritical Catholics, wining and getting on and now they in church!” Wasn't it He that said, thou should not judge? Isn't it commendable that people should recognise that they are sinners and there is a period for them to go into some serious reflection?

It must be noted that even if we remove ourselves from the Carnival activities that we are not exempt from sin, for sin has a way of following and finding its way in, if we are not alert.

It always strikes me that the spirit that exists among Trinidadians is a sweet spirit at Carnival time. There is camaraderie and helpfulness. It is my belief that if this abandonment will allow a woman in a situation of domestic abuse to forget her woes, then so be it. If it allows that man to free his mind of the pain of a break-up, then so be it.

If it prevents another man from taking his life and that of his spouse's, then so be it. If the music just moves you as it does me, then so be it. I say, let the therapy continue.

Too much of this wanton abandonment becomes bad after a while. Carnival is that time when a man can be man without the constraints of all those things that have him bound and preoccupied throughout the year.

It isn't that vulgarity in Carnival is being condoned since it is my firm belief that the season can be enjoyed without these excesses, and with a consciousness of one's behaviour. Many, however, focus only on the negatives without appreciating the creativity, talent and artistry. Carnival allows me to see some positives in my country at a time when the negatives seem to dominate.

As we move from Carnival into the Lenten season, a very important time in the Church, I am called to reflect on the ways that I have crucified Jesus, the ways that I can improve my relationship with Him.

I can spend more time in prayer, absorbing the Word and preaching the Gospel. Indeed, this Lent I am called to exercise my discipleship, and continue in a thrust of being a learning believer or a believing learner.

Cleva Weekes, Parishioner Our Lady of Perpetual Help, San Fernando

By Kimberly Harrison Gill

No! No! Please Mr Minshall No!

You are touching on a topic, I love so

Your intentions may be good, but

As a Eucharist adorer I say No!

Seriously, think again

We were taught,

Never to call his name in vain

Desecrating his name

Would totally destroy your fame.

Mr Minshall come again.

A Parade for Easter

Would pass the test

A grand show at Queen's Hall

Would outshine all the rest

Think for one moment, about it all.

People dressed up in their fancy costumes

Without alcohol

Put Hallelujah together with that

Shouting, rejoicing, singing and praise.

A cry for our nation

All the masqueraders and band leaders

Join together in one accord

That could be the greatest show in the world.

No! Mr Minshall No! No!

Not the Sacred Heart for Carnival

Please let that idea go

When we call his name, we should

Bend down low

Prostrate ourselves with reverence

To his Holy Name.

When your masqueraders start to

Wine and wave their hands

Gyrate and get on bad

All they would say;

Is a trini thing you know,

Time to let loose

Go with the flow

How could you then say no!

Please! Mr Minshall let me explain

Jesus the Christ was born

To save us from sin

The Sacred Heart endured all our suffering.

Please ! I am appealing again

Have some respect for his name

Christ is the ruler of everything,

Our Lord and God

Respect the King!