I don't know what this means about me, but I always like Lent.
I know. What a jerk, right? Bucking for them uber-Catholic points. People who say they like Lent are just lying, like tough guys who say they prefer dentistry without the novocaine, Just to prove how tough they are.
Permit me to explain. There are certainly things about the Faith I dislike. The whole "having to admit I'm wrong about something" business is an aspect of Catholic teaching I could really do without. I don't much care for the Hell stuff. I could really stand to take a pass on having to forgive people I can't stand.
But Lent, I've always somehow liked. It goes back to a time about 30 years ago when I lost a job and found myself without any visible means of support. What I thought would be terrifying turned out be exhilarating in a strange way. I was not Catholic at the time; just an Evangelical, single, foot-loose and fancy free. And I discovered, quite by accident, that Francis was right about all the poverty stuff being liberating. As it happened, this little period of joblessness took place right about this time of year. I don't think I knew at the time that this time of year was called "Lent". But because all that happened at this time of year, and because that time made such an impression on me as the moment when I first realized that poverty and dependence on Providence could feel like freedom and not like exposure to the elements, I've always loved this time of year and identified it with all that. When I became Catholic, Lent just sort of built on top of it. And the whole Lenten thing--the astringent, desert, trimming things back to the bare bones Lenten thing--still feels refreshing because of it.
I could really use some time in the desert, getting rid of the junk I don't need and taking up the new life I do need so badly, as the sinner I am. So: what you are getting rid of? What are you picking up?
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Gave up coffee. And I’ve made up my mind that, despite all contraindications, I’m not not NOT going to be a miserable excuse for a human being without being pathetically dependent on caffeine. :D
Really I shouldn’t have let the thought enter my mind to begin with, because then it became irresistible…something in me chanting “Do it, do it, do it do it doitdoitdoitdoitdoit!”
Giving up sweets because it never ever gets easier for me, even after all these years. Taking up the Liturgy of the Hours and also finding ways to keep holy the hours between noon and 3pm in memory of Christ’s death on the cross.
Lent is my favorite time of year as well. Now I know that I am in good company. It never ceases to amaze me that everything I gave up in Lent that seemed almost like an addiction ceases to hold any charm at the end of 40 days. God bless you.
Picking up “Jesus of Nazareth”, mass attendance, adoration. Giving up sweets, FB, overindulgent eating. I love Lent! I love our Liturgical Calendar. Godbless all :) have a beautiful Lent & Easter season! <3
Spending more time with family and to visit the church everyday is what I would like to incorporate in my life. I am really having difficulties dividing my time with work and family and most of the time, I always choose work and I would want to change that. Family will definitely be my priority this time.
Gave up all drinks but water, which is more an abandonment of soda than anything else. The lack of caffeine is tough, but what I was really interested is how much money I wasted. I decided to set aside money I’d spend on soda and give it to charity. It’s going to be a surprising amount.
I actually switched from a smart phone to a dumb phone for Lent. Day 3, and it’s killing me! I keep picking up this old-school piece of technology in hopes it’s going to give me a Facebook update, daily deal offer or a stock price. No such luck. Come on, Easter - get here already!!
Video games! (on the exact same day that System Shock 2 is released for PC, updated to run on modern systems and at the low, low price of 9.99. PRAY.FOR.ME)
Also, some spiritual reading - Julian of Norwich’s Revelations of Divine Love. Wonderful.
All sweets,cokes, sweet tea, movies from Red Box,and as much meat as possible.
I’ve always liked Lent, too.It’s an especially Catholic time of the year.And we have parish fish fries.Even the fast food chains acknowledge Lent.Have you seen all the fish sandwich ads lately?
I love Lent, it’s good for us and, hence, everyone else.
Thanks be to God.
Giving up TV (the occasional DVD movie is allowed) and adding a daily rosary and reading religious books (Confessions of St Augustine). Without the TV, I should have time to read more.
Giving up Facebook, replacing with a daily rosary. I have been a church singer all my life and I have always felt a little guilty at how excited I get when Lent comes around because the music is SO beautiful. Yay for hymns in minor keys!
I gave up Facebook for Lent. I find that this provides me a sort of silence. A break from the noise of too much information.
A similar thing happened to me, and that is why I love Lent as well!
I’m trying to curb my gluttony, and picking up some self-discipline in the bargain. Of course, it’s not a matter of bargaining.
One small meal a day, one smaller, and nothing in-between. Daily Eucharist. Almost three days in and I’m committed. It probably helps that my birthday falls on Easter Sunday this year.
I am not to the point of really loving Lent yet (nor really having a great perspective on my sacrifices, either), but this year I’m only going on the Internet once a day and skipping lunch on Fridays as well as trying hard to get more prayer time in every day.
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18
kent,
Come on. Mr. Shea asked a question.
Besides, folks are anonymous on the internet.How is that boasting?
Gave up ice cream. Ouch!
Last year I devoted myself to finding and reading the epistles of the church Fathers through the internet. It made the canonical epistles come alive all over again. This year, it’s the CCC and at least one of the canonical hours each day.
Mark - I think that what you may give up during Lent it is something that is between you and God. Although the Internet is anonymous I don’t believe posting about it follows the spirit and intent of Matthew’s Gospel. Just my $0.02 worth
Kent:
If you are talking about it in order to garner praise from men, then it’s a problem. In this forum, it’s meant in the spirit of comparing notes and encouraging one another. So I don’t see the problem. However, if it’s a problem for you I respect that. Just don’t sit in judgment of those for whom it is not a problem
I do not sit in judgement of anybody, or at least try not too. To me it’s a private matter and I simply voiced my opinion and thoughts, I didn’t feel that I was going to be castigated for it though. I apologize to anyone whom I may have offended or upset.
Castigated? Nobody is upset or offended. Peace, friend.
Trying to give up complaining. Not easy.
Lent is coming!
In addition to penance, fasting, and confession, the viewing of spiritual films can be a powerful activity during lent.
Pius Media, an on-line Catholic film rental company has an abundant number of films that would be appropriate for lenten viewing.
Beyond lenten interest, if your family, like mine, is interested in family-friendly videos, including children’s videos, classic movies, and movies with a Catholic theme, I highly recommend that you check out Pius Media, which operates just like Netflix, with video rental by mail.
More details here:
http://allhands-ondeck.blogspot.com/2013/01/recommended-pius-media-for-catholic.html
I really enjoyed this post. I came back to the faith 2 years ago after being away for years and years. Lent has turned out to be my favorite time of the Luturgical Year as well, and it gives good reason to avoid the devil and his demons.
When I was a kid I LOVED lent. It was the only time of the year I could get away with ordering plain cheese pizza every Friday—which I’m sure was some sort of punishment to my parents. Needless to say, my parents only marginally followed the lenten protocol. As an adult and revert, it’s not nearly as much “fun”—although I suppose that’s the point. I do like that it refocuses my attention to The Lord.
Day 4: I found myself thinking, “Gee, how strange. I never noticed that toothpaste tastes like espresso beans.” I think I picked the right ‘vice’ to nix.
Anon: that’s what I thought at first, then I remembered I was cheap to begin with, so I don’t think I’ll be saving much!
Matt: I like it…I wouldn’t mind having my flip phone again. It did two things, but did them consistently well. My “smart phone” is still pretty dumb much of the time.
Cora: when I still lived at home, Lent always meant pierogies. Now it seems like…spring cleaning for the soul, or something.
I like Lent too, because it gives us the time to really look at us and our failings and the things we should be doing. Friday was the first day I spent without my computer and my IPAD. Just me, myself and I and not TV either. Found it to be quite peaceful, so I’m going to do this all during Lent.
I’m trying to cut down on sweets (though its hard) but especially the technological stuff like computers. I also got a no frills phone, no need to go on the internet just because..
Also reading spiritual books. Right now I’m reading “The Life of Christ” by Archbishop Sheen (too bad he was never made a cardinal), and some other religious e books I’ve downloaded through the year.
I try and say the Rosary every day and also the Chaplet of Mercy, for the Benedict our Pope and the election of a new good Pope.
Our tv broke down, right timing, so no tv viewing. I’m also giving up to listening music except church music. Say more rosaries and stations of the Cross. I love Lent too.
I gave up coffee too and this morning I was thinking this was the hardest Lent for me ever. After reading this, it’s not so bad.
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