Lent

[karrie]

Well, it's fast approaching. Mardi Gras.... beads, boobs, booze.

But, following that, Ash Wednesday, and for many people, the observance of the Lenten season.

I was pondering the observance we endured as kids... those horrific days of having to give up tv... lol... and my daughter's strict decision last year, at the age of 8, to give up candy (she followed through even long after her mom and dad forgot and handed her sweets). It's been ages since I myself have given something up. So this year, wanting to attend mass, pay attention, attempt to regain some of my roots, I decided it should be fairly big. Something I don't benefit from, something I care about, something I'm totally addicted to.

So, I'm giving up you guys! lol. Giving up the net. Yikes, the thought is scary.

Anyway... I digress...

How many here observe Lent? What do you sacrifice?

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

I don't usually give up anything. I am going to the church service tonight and will go throughout lent but don't do more.

[karrie]

That sounds a bit like my hubby's Lenten sacrifice ski... "I'm giving up not going to church."

lol.

[grainfedprairieboy]

I'm not trying to derail the thread but what is the point in giving up anything enjoyable or routine for Lent when the vast majority of practitioners refuse to even try to give up on sinning itself? Isn't the purpose of Lent that the reasonable pious go the extra mile? Or does sin no longer exist because it is now fully open to personal interpretation?

[karrie]

I think the flaw I see in your post grain lies in worrying about other people, rather than yourself.


I can't control what people give up, what sins they commit, etc. What I do has nothing to do with what they do. I am giving up something that would be a sacrifice for me. I am giving up something that encompasses gluttony, vanity, and sloth for me personally (and no, I don't believe facebook or forums does for all people).

[grainfedprairieboy]

I think the flaw I see in your post grain lies in worrying about other people, rather than yourself.

I don't believe in minding anyones business but my own. However, I feel folks should practice what they preach be it politics or religion. I don't feel it is a stretch to point out that Christians wallow in much of the same commercialism of Christmas as others and as such, if Christians believe their lives so pious regularly they need to go above and beyond through Lent then I say more power to them.

I'm just suggesting that the evidence for many (society in general) might be to the contrary. Anywho, didn't mean to derail topic with such a heavy interjection, especially one I can't fully explore as I am off to Calgary right away.

[karrie]

Again you're worrying about what other people do, believe, etc.

And I do understand to a certain degree what you mean.

BUT... I'm just a flawed individual. I'm not about to declare that there's no point in introspection, sacrifice, or spiritual exploration, just because people on the whole tend to be hypocritical or commercially driven, etc.

[ITN]

It just so happens that this year the Catholic Easter falls on the same day as the Eastern Orthodox Easter (April 4th).

Lent for me is fasting for 40 days and I fully intend to go through with it this year.

Lent as it applies to the Eastern Orthodox Church is pretty strict.

You cannot have any meat at all. Certain days no olive oil etc...

[karrie]

impressive ITN. Good luck with that.

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

I believe the actual practice of giving something up is a Catholic practice is it not? I don't actually recall it being mentioned in my church at all. What I have heard about it is from TV and stuff and they tend to get their religious references from the Catholic faith in most cases.

Which, combined with poor will power, is the reason I never give anything up.

Good for you ITN. But isn't that a bit long a period to go without food? Don't do yourself harm.