Lent is about giving things up
Lent starts this week and that means we will be greeted by now-annual tradition from some quarters that “Lent isn’t really about giving things up – it’s about being nice”. Just yesterday I saw an article that pooh-pooh the whole notion of giving things up for Lent and said instead we should focus on being kind to others during Lent.
It is true that there are three things we are called to intensify during Lent – fasting, almsgiving and prayer – but the fact remains that in the Catholic Tradition, the focus of Lent has always been about sacrifice, specifically, increasing our sacrifices in union with the One Sacrifice of Christ on the Cross. In our modern culture, there is little or no emphasis on the importance of sacrifice and suffering in the Christian life; we are bombarded with the message that Christianity is mostly about being kind to others. Lent just becomes an extension of this watered-down message.
But Lent specifically calls us to detach ourselves from this world by giving up the goods of this life. And in fact, by detaching ourselves from the things of this world, we are empowered to become more kind to others. Who do you think was more willing and able to help others – Mother Teresa or Donald Trump? The person who is weighed down by his physical desires – for food, for gadgets, for money – is less able to see the needs of others and to respond to them. But the one who has detached himself by choosing to give up the many goods of this world is able to truly be kind to others, serving them and putting their needs before one’s own needs.
So this Lent make an effort to really give up something that is difficult to give up. You may find that by doing so you will also naturally become more kind to others as well.
Lent,make an effort to really give up something that is difficult to give up.GOOD, UNFORTUNATELY PEOPLE JUST DETACH FOR FORTY DAYS(40) THEN GET ATTACHED AGAIN AFTER 40 DAYS.
The seems not to be A REAL SPIRITUAL understanding.
The church has tried in so many ways, but it is not sinking in.
Regarding lent, sacrifice and the cross nothing for me has ever rang truer on this subject than this article I ran across this weekend. I hope other readers find it as demystifying, satisfying and challenging as I did:
http://newtheologicalmovement.blogspot.com/2011/03/mystery-of-lent.html
Yes, Lent is about sacrifice. I read this on another blog: “Sacrifice, in the Judeo-Christian tradition, is freely giving up something of real value to God as an act of worship. It shows God’s primacy in our lives. He is number one.” ~ Bishop Kevin Farrell
I probably shouldn’t say this to you, a blogger, but part of my Lenten program is to totally “fast” from reading blogs and from participating in Facebook. This will be very challenging for me, because I enjoy both of those activities very much. So, I end up doing too much of both. I will also spend an hour a day knitting, because I’m new to the craft, and I find it frustrating sometimes. So, I need to practice, just like some people practice their instruments. Those are my ascetical practices or via negativa.
There is also a positive side to Lenten practices. Maybe that’s what some people mean by “being nice,” although that phrase sounds insipid. “Being nice” could mean volunteering at a homeless shelter or soup kitchen. It could be doing acts of kindness or just acting friendly to annoying people. “Being nice” can be thought of as “giving up” nastiness or some other sinful behavior. So maybe it’s not all that bad. Maybe it’s a form of metanoia.
Great ideas for lenten fasting. You can also post your lenten fasts on lent.asciiduck.com
Lent can be more than giving up something. Years ago I found that self-sacrifice works best when combined with a discipline that strengthens my moral character. No shopping for myself (except groceries) but shopping for gifts taught me patience in an impatient society. Giving up swearing and other foul language purified my tongue and cooled my angry spirit. Daily rosary recitation guarded against spiritual sloth. The best part of these Lenten fasts is that they usually developed into habits that, in retrospect, made me a better Christian than I was before. Each Lent is an opportunity for something new.
I don’t buy the comparison of Donald Vs Teresa, had you said Nancy Pelosi or Barack Obama, I would be inclined to agree. Donald doesn’t advertise all the Good that he does, he just does it. He also believes people should do works of Mercy, and not depend or demand Governments do it. Ms. Peolsi & Mr. Obama don’t believe either & seek God to be irrelevant. They also demand not only Governments help the poor but also murder their children. That is where their charity is, Your Child dies while their’s lives.
The Cross is ever present in front of us. Christ dies today,tomorrow, & yesterday. Too many are trapped by Satan’s machinations that they have plenty of time. You have a lamp, don’t be caught buying more oil when the party starts.
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Pingback by Lent 2011: Are you ready for it? « An American Point of View — March 9, 2011 @ 9:12 amEric, I agree with your point. We definitely need to make it a season of sacrifice. Christ sacrificed His life for us; the least we can do is make sacrifices for Him. Personally, I believe the sacrifice we make should be very challenging if we expect to gain anything spiritually out of it. I also like the idea of adding one positive thing to our lives, such as prayer habits, scripture reading, and other practices. We should make one sacrifice and take on one new good habit. Thanks for the article.
Super article. it’s good to see more Christian websites on the web in this time and day.