An article in the Arkansas Catholic, the paper of the Diocese of Little Rock, talks to Scripture scholars and others on why we fast and what we gain from the practice. It is called “Fasting out of love: God doesn’t want a fulfilled obligation; he wants our hearts.” And another article reports on how Lenten observances are growing in other Christian churches.

A member of a United Methodist church receives ashes during an Ash Wednesday service in 2008 to observe Lent. Many United Methodists also hold Palm Sunday and Holy Week services. United Methodist News Service foto/Mike DeBose

–Via the CNS blog.