What are you giving up for Lent?

I usually try to focus on the positive during Lent. Over the last couple of years, I've started doing more during Lent rather than just giving something up.

Many people think "Oh! It's Lent, I have to give something up!" This is kind of a knee-jerk reaction that is built in. I used to do the same with little more thought. The problem is that when we do this we run into the following situation: "Oooh, dough nuts...maybe I'll just have o...Damn it! I gave that up for Lent! Stupid lent!"

What is accomplished here? Anger at one's choice to give something up...that is about it. If our hearts are not transformed enough, we will receive almost nothing.

I think sacrifice is one of the higher spiritual disciplines that needs to be understood and incorporated into the spiritual life through out the year in conjunction with prayer and not just thrown in at Lent. Sacrifice for the sake of sacrifice is a waste of time.

I'm not trying to say that we should not sacrifice during Lent. That is a key component to the season. However, if someone is not as spiritually mature, I think it is more constructive for their spiritual life to focus more on the prayer in the "Prayer, Fasting and Alms Giving" triad.

Without a solid foundation of prayer, fasting can do more harm than good. I think we (the Church) tend to do a poor job of demonstrating this when we talk about Lent.

Lent is not just a second shot at your new year's resolution gone bad. It's not a means for losing weight for spring break by giving up sweets. It is an opportunity to willingly share in the sufferings of Christ. It is an opportunity to go deeper in prayer to build your relationship with God.

So, my advice is that if you're observing Lent by giving up sweets, and that's about it, then you should think hard and long about giving up some of your time every day instead. Give up the time that might be spent reading this blog, stalking people on facebook, or anything else and spend it with God. ushsbc login That is probably enough of a sacrifice, if not more, to replace the classic 'no sweets' penance. It will help you grow in your relationship with God and by the end of 40 days you won't be able to stop.

I recommend starting with 20 min/day.