So today is Fat Tuesday...about an hour and a half left until the official start of Lent.
Lent is a wonderful and very introspective season in the Church's year. I find it to be a very personal and private journey. Each one takes their own walk for these 40 days. Lent to the outsider involves fish fries and fasting.
Some take this walk by "giving up" something for Lent. Usually it's a personal vise that apparently didn't get included in New Years resolutions or didn't make a follow thru from last years Lent.
The age old question being, "So, what are you giving up for Lent?" The answers I hear most are as follows:
~Soda
~Coffee
~Caffeine
~Cigarettes
~Sweets
~Chocolate
I have also heard a few giving up dairy (why oh why...one can not live with out cheese), turning left (great homily by Fr H about that one) and others that make you go hmmmm....
So what is this SAHM giving up for Lent you may ask....
This is my answer:
None of your stinkin' business.
Really. Seriously. It's not. This is MY journey. This is MY 40 days. This is MY Lent. I don't need to make a public display of my religion to make sure everyone knows I'm Catholic. I'm not going to put it on my Facebook status. "Carrie is giving up chocolate for Lent"....nope, not gonna do it. (and no...I'm not giving up chocolate...) And just because I am Catholic (turbo Catholic as some call us) doesn't mean I need to tell you about MY Lent.
I also think that the idea of "giving up something for Lent" is a very stereotypical secular view of Lent. It's sooooo much more than not drinking Diet Coke. Or not getting Starbucks in the morning. And if that is what you have whittled Lent down to be, then please take a step back and review.
Lent is a journey. Lent is a test of commitment to Christ. Lent is a time for us to get ready for Easter. With out Lent there is no risen Christ. There is no Easter.
So maybe I need to think of another answer to that damned question. One not so much in your face....
Nah....
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Great post, I concur! Us Lutherans take part in Lent too and this is very much how I feel about it.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, I concur! Us Lutherans take part in Lent as well and this is very much how I feel about it.
ReplyDeleteAnd in additon to "giving up" something, you also have to "increase" two other things: prayer and almsgiving. All three go together, the Holy Trinity of Lent, you might say.
ReplyDeleteI've found that those who tend to loudly announce what they are "giving up for Lent" are generally people who want to be considered religious and aren't spiritual at all. Their relationship with God barely exists but they want everyone to believe they're incredibly holy, much like people who make a big deal about the wonderful thngs they'v done at Church or even pilgramages they've gone on. It's for show, so they look good.
ReplyDeleteThese people are the reason Christ told us to not make a huge deal about our prayers, etc. It's between the individual and God.