Giving Up Something For Lent
Church Year February 6th, 2005Lent is coming this Wednesday and it’s that time of year when Catholics and other liturgical Christians usually "give something up." I’ve been participating in Lent for about 5 years and have given up some standard things: coffee, meat, red meat, sweets, etc. The coffee was by far the most difficult, but still nothing compared to what our Lord gave us. I haven’t decided what to give up this year yet. I’m interested in what kinds of things my blog readers have given up in the past or are giving up this year. Comments welcome.
February 6th, 2005 at 4:20 pm
In the past I’ve given up everything from pop to caffeine to desserts to computer games. This year I’m severely cutting back on my blogging/computer time … down to 1 hour per day. *gasp* I’m not sure this is humanly possible but I’m gonna give it a try!
February 6th, 2005 at 11:57 pm
I don’t usually feel like giving up desserts and such is such a good thing. I mean, it is something your body doesn’t need anyway. And I know way too many women who say “I’m giving up sweets. I hope I lose weight!” which is just utterly not the purpose.
My husband always gives up caffeine and alcohol and he doesn’t eat anything at all on fridays. I usually give up meat (which means he kind of does too since I cook) and then I try to think about something less tangible I can try to limit. A number of times I have fasted from looking in the mirror. My husband and I also try to add something, in addition to fasting–saying a daily office or something. Last year, for me it was a weekly rosary.
This year, I’m giving up meat for certain but I’m still contemplating my less tangible fast. As for adding, I am going to say the Angelus when I wake up, at noon and when I go to sleep.
February 8th, 2005 at 1:04 am
how about fasting and mortification. I mean not giving up that which is bordering on addiction. Why not cut back to a very light breakfast and a supper of only 10 ounces.How about having only six hours of sleep
mike
February 8th, 2005 at 7:15 am
I just posted on this very thing! Great minds think alike
February 8th, 2005 at 3:16 pm
Meredith and I tried something a little borderline crazy one year. We were thinking about metaphors and such. It means one thing to say “Christus lux mundi” in a time and place where we have light on demand; but the apostles didn’t. Christians didn’t until electricity came around. So what would it mean to experience this on a literal level? Thus, we gave up electric lights for Lent. Only candles and oil lamps.
We found it to be interesting on a number of levels. We got much more in touch with the natural cycles of light and day. It was a lot easier to remember to say matins and vespers–you say matins when it’s light enough to read; you say Vespers when you light the first candle of the evening. We also tended to get tired earlier (or, more accurately, to realize our tiredness) and got more and better sleep. The only negative that we found was that since we were doing so much reading we had to relax it to save our eyes. When we were reading /studying we used one electric light for that purpose. We’ve been doing it ever since…
February 8th, 2005 at 9:46 pm
Hmm, I need to decide really. I was thinking giving up desserts and sweet snacks.
February 8th, 2005 at 11:25 pm
I absolutely LOVE French fries, much more than meat, so it’s been a custom of mine to give up French fries during Lent, and this year will be no exception.
However, I always feel I could do more, and I usually try to find a way to give God more space in my life. I’ve been worrying a lot lately, so I think this year I will fast from worrying. Everytime I start, I will say a little prayer instead and surrender it, so the Lord can take over.
Last year, I fasted from sorrow and read scripture that referred to joy from the Lord. It was very meaningful, and showed me the gift of the Lord I so often forget.
I’m sure you’ll know what to do tomorrow. : )
February 9th, 2005 at 1:53 pm
Well now, there’s the proverbial ‘cry for help’ if I’ve ever seen one…
February 9th, 2005 at 4:49 pm
Derek,
Agreed. Disagreement is fine with me and I wouldn’t ban anyone for that. However, flaming, trolling, insults, and immaturity won’t be kept in the comments box.
February 23rd, 2005 at 12:05 pm
Hello,
I came across your blog while researching Lent observances on the Internet and was hoping to interview people who have posted entries on Lenten observances for an article I’m working on for the Miami Herald. (I would especially be interested in speaking to bloggers from South Florida if there are any).
Please email me with your contact information and a convenient time to call if you are interested.
Best,
Alexandra