Monsignor Arthur Rodgers, rector of the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, places ash on a worshiper's forehead during an Ash Wednesday Mass at the cathedral in Philadelphia earlier today in Philadelphia. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a time when Christians prepare for Easter through acts of penitence and prayer. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Question: Do you observe Lent?

The Zulu Parade moves through the central business district of New Orleans Tuesday. This is the last day of the Mardi Gras celebration, ending at midnight, after a day of parades, marching groups and people in costumes. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)

Question: What do you plan to give up for Lent?

Mardi Gras. It brings to mind beads, parties and fancy floats in New Orleans as people cram in all the fun they can before Lent begins. In reality, Mardi Gras has long been celebrated in coastal towns from Texas to Florida. And it means big business. “It is more of a regional thing, Mardi Gras is, from Texas down to (the) Gasparilla (pirate festival) down in the Tampa area,” said Stephen Toomey, whose family started a chain of Mobile, Ala.-based Mardi Gras party supply stores. “It means a way of life for people who live in these communities, but the bottom line is that it creates a lot of jobs.” Tourism leaders estimate more than 1 million visitors pour into the Mobile area each Mardi Gras season to watch the festivities/Associated Press. More here. (AP photo: Malia Miyashiro, of California, throws beads from a Bourbon St. balcony to Mardi Gras revelers in French Quarter in New Orleans earlier today)

Question: Do you participate in Mardi Gras activities closer to home? And/or: Do you observe Lent?

Whether or not you’re religious, Lent is the time of year to give up something - usually something you like, such as beer or chocolate - and take time to make a quiet assessment of your life. This year, because of the economy, many people will be giving up their homes or their jobs, and not necessarily for only the 40 days of Lent. Some people may be giving up meals, as well - not because they are trying to make atonement for their sins, but because they can’t afford food and the box from the food bank has to last a week. In other words, Lent is sure to have the penitential pallor appropriate to the season, but not necessarily because that’s a choice/Kathy Hedberg, Lewiston Tribune. More here.

Question: Have you been forced to give up something for Lent due to the economic situation rather than religious observance?

Ash Wednesday is the day that the Christian world sits outside the principal’s office waiting for retribution to arrive, and it’s never late. Today we’re going to talk about your sins and call your parents, and that paddle that hangs behind Sister Mary Louise’s desk is gonna get a workout/Steve Crump, Twin Falls Times News. More here.

Question: Whether you observe Lent or not, do you take time to reflect on your shortcomings and try to do better afterward?