Grace Curtis
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There are many stereotypical things that come to mind when one thinks of Lent. People giving up chocolate, acting all sad and stuff, not eating, praying more, etc etc. These trademark characteristics of Lent have truth to them and are in no means wrong, but I have found that this seems to be the season most ridiculed in Catholicism. Just this morning I saw a girl on Instagram post one of those “party girl pics” with the caption “What are you giving up for Lent?” Many other college kids commented mock sacrifices as a joke. In class I heard a group of sophomores laughing over eating meat on Fridays and giving things up. “I tried giving up chocolate but I never followed through so I just stopped trying” one girl remarked with a smirk. While there are many other factors contributing to the reasons people back away from Lent, one of the biggest problems actually has a very simple solution. People just do not understand what Lent is all about!
I’ll be the first to admit that I have not understood Lent in the past. Although my intentions were good, I struggled with giving things up, the fish fries were more of an excuse to socialize, and I completely forgot about praying more until Holy Week came up. One Lent, I actually pretended to give up my phone so I didn’t have to talk to a boy I didn’t like. Talk about some serious problems there! Although we laugh at that story, unfortunately it is often how things go for Catholics during Lent. Most people just let it go and give up, but I’m challenging you to make a change. Explore the deeper meaning in Lent, find how you can grow most in it, and stick with it to the end.
In this post, I won’t go through all the super cool deep symbolic stuff we do in Lent. Most of you already know that, and if you don’t, make part of your Lenten prayer looking it up and practicing some of the traditions. However, I will draw from some imagery associated with Lent. Jesus stayed in the desert and was tempted for 40 days before His suffering. The Israelites wandered the desert in exile for 40 years. We remember these moments and unite our experiences with them during the 40 days of Lent. Often times we feel like we are in a metaphorical desert during Lent. All of us are cranky from fasting, miss singing the “Alleluia” during mass, and tend to lean on the sorrowful side with prayers such as Stations of the Cross. Jesus can feel the most far away when we spend too much time focusing on the technicalities and following the rules.
Understand that naturally Lent is a sorrowful and serious time to remember Christ’s suffering, but it is not meant to make our prayer life a spiritual desert. In fact, our prayers should be a fountain of overflowing life in this time! We recognize the pain and our sin and we can thank God for forgiveness as we look towards the eternal life He’s given us. In giving things up and uniting our sufferings to the cross, it is kind of like the Church’s way of helping us “unclutter” our lives. Throughout the year we get busy and forget to fix our eyes on the cross. Luckily, the Church dedicates a whole season to help us remember, celebrate, and believe in why we truly are Catholic and why Christ is the true source of life. Yes, we do enter the desert and remember the past, but we cannot forget the desert flowers that bloom from the hope of eternal life we feel at Easter.
Today is Ash Wednesday, day one of your walk with Jesus. I encourage you to give something up. But there’s a catch this time; perhaps give up something that isn’t tangible. Make a conscious effort to stop gossiping, quit a bad habit, spend less time doing something you enjoy in order to spend time with loved ones. Another beautiful act to commit to is giving something more such as every day telling someone they are valuable or looking in the mirror every morning and seeing yourself as God’s beautiful son/ daughter. These little sacrifices and almsgivings can bring us so much closer to loving ourselves, God, and our community.
Christ suffered and died just for a chance to spend forever loving you. Let this be your inspiration when you face trials. God believes in you, and so do I!
Your Sister in Christ
Helpful Lent links:
http://www.catholic.com/quickquestions/why-do-catholics-practice-fasting-and-abstinence-during-lent
http://www.catholic.org/clife/lent/faq.php
http://www.americancatholic.org/features/seasonal/faqs.aspx
I’ll be the first to admit that I have not understood Lent in the past. Although my intentions were good, I struggled with giving things up, the fish fries were more of an excuse to socialize, and I completely forgot about praying more until Holy Week came up. One Lent, I actually pretended to give up my phone so I didn’t have to talk to a boy I didn’t like. Talk about some serious problems there! Although we laugh at that story, unfortunately it is often how things go for Catholics during Lent. Most people just let it go and give up, but I’m challenging you to make a change. Explore the deeper meaning in Lent, find how you can grow most in it, and stick with it to the end.
In this post, I won’t go through all the super cool deep symbolic stuff we do in Lent. Most of you already know that, and if you don’t, make part of your Lenten prayer looking it up and practicing some of the traditions. However, I will draw from some imagery associated with Lent. Jesus stayed in the desert and was tempted for 40 days before His suffering. The Israelites wandered the desert in exile for 40 years. We remember these moments and unite our experiences with them during the 40 days of Lent. Often times we feel like we are in a metaphorical desert during Lent. All of us are cranky from fasting, miss singing the “Alleluia” during mass, and tend to lean on the sorrowful side with prayers such as Stations of the Cross. Jesus can feel the most far away when we spend too much time focusing on the technicalities and following the rules.
Understand that naturally Lent is a sorrowful and serious time to remember Christ’s suffering, but it is not meant to make our prayer life a spiritual desert. In fact, our prayers should be a fountain of overflowing life in this time! We recognize the pain and our sin and we can thank God for forgiveness as we look towards the eternal life He’s given us. In giving things up and uniting our sufferings to the cross, it is kind of like the Church’s way of helping us “unclutter” our lives. Throughout the year we get busy and forget to fix our eyes on the cross. Luckily, the Church dedicates a whole season to help us remember, celebrate, and believe in why we truly are Catholic and why Christ is the true source of life. Yes, we do enter the desert and remember the past, but we cannot forget the desert flowers that bloom from the hope of eternal life we feel at Easter.
Today is Ash Wednesday, day one of your walk with Jesus. I encourage you to give something up. But there’s a catch this time; perhaps give up something that isn’t tangible. Make a conscious effort to stop gossiping, quit a bad habit, spend less time doing something you enjoy in order to spend time with loved ones. Another beautiful act to commit to is giving something more such as every day telling someone they are valuable or looking in the mirror every morning and seeing yourself as God’s beautiful son/ daughter. These little sacrifices and almsgivings can bring us so much closer to loving ourselves, God, and our community.
Christ suffered and died just for a chance to spend forever loving you. Let this be your inspiration when you face trials. God believes in you, and so do I!
Your Sister in Christ
Helpful Lent links:
http://www.catholic.com/quickquestions/why-do-catholics-practice-fasting-and-abstinence-during-lent
http://www.catholic.org/clife/lent/faq.php
http://www.americancatholic.org/features/seasonal/faqs.aspx