It’s been a mild winter so far in Butler County. There have been 70-degree days followed by days with temperatures in the teens. But no matter what is showing outside the window, the calendar turns.

Wednesday was Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. And the season is marked not just by the fish fries that do big business every Friday until Easter.

During Lent, many Christians observe a period of fasting, repentance, moderation, self-denial and spiritual discipline. The practice of “giving something up for Lent” is a reflection of this spirit of self-denial.

But rather than giving up sweets or that morning pastry, maybe this is the season to give up something else.

It’s no secret that Americans are divided and suspicious of — well, you name it — each other’s politics, practices and motives. Every day it seems there’s a new threat to the Republic, whether it be a rumored ban of gas stoves, critical race theory in schools and, in Butler County, just who can call themselves a Republican and who can’t.

It seems that these days everybody is walking around waiting to be offended. A bumper sticker slogan or an ill-considered remark will bring down a torrent of condemnation and scorn on the supposed offender.

Maybe during this Lenten season, it would be better instead of giving up candy to give up this propensity to condemn those who offend our sensibilities.

Maybe instead of wagging fingers and clutching pearls we just shake our heads, shrug our shoulders and go about our business. Turn off the 24-hour news channels, unplug from the internet for a bit and try find some common ground rather than some hypothetical hill to die on.

Maybe a little moderation on being affronted by our fellow man every day and a little denial of casting stones for the next 40 days would be just the thing.

— EKF