topic Re: Lent in Community Chat

Lent

kaydee50 — Wed, 17 Feb 2021 17:54:02 GMT

Has your observance of Lent changed this year? I feel as though I've already given up a lot and no need to do anything more.

Comments??

Re: Lent

Cakers3 — Wed, 17 Feb 2021 18:01:06 GMT

I'm not sure how long this thread will last because of the religious tone but I haven't given up anything for Lent in years. We didn't even get ashes the past few years although stopping by for the stations of the Cross here and there was something I would do. Usually very quite and peaceful, reflection much deeper that way.

I guess everyone has a different feeling about Lent; some of us will not be affected as much as others but whatever one chooses to do will only matter if done with sincerity and from the heart.

Re: Lent

piperbay — Wed, 17 Feb 2021 18:05:47 GMT

Even though 2020 felt like one long Lent, I am still going to take inventory of myself and see how I can be better.

I'll be observing the same practices of Lent this year. Giving up things, trying to volunteer and give to charities.

Re: Lent

PamfromCT — Wed, 17 Feb 2021 18:09:57 GMT

I stopped giving up things for Lent years ago.

I would rather do something, like spending more time reading inspirational works, spending more time “in the quiet” reflecting, and doing positive things, no matter how small, for other people.

I went to a Catholic girl’s school for my high school years. I did get a good education there, was well prepped for college, but boy were those sisters strict. That was many years ago, as I am now 76, so some may be able to relate.

Re: Lent

beach-mom — Wed, 17 Feb 2021 18:14:44 GMT

We are starting Lent with a Zoom Ash Wednesday service tonight. I think it will be an unusual Lent for a lot of us. It was during this time we all went into quarantine. A while ago I stopped "giving up" something. Instead I make it a point to become more spiritual in my own way, concentrating on devotions and readings.

Re: Lent

Sooner — Wed, 17 Feb 2021 18:29:32 GMT

@kaydee50 wrote:
Has your observance of Lent changed this year? I feel as though I've already given up a lot and no need to do anything more.

Comments??

@kaydee50 Well, did you give up those things voluntarily? Did you give them up as an act of faith? Mindfully and with thoughtful intention? Isn't that the point, not just what has happened in life already?

I'm no expert but that was my take on Lent from what friends of mine have expressed to me.

Re: Lent

rms1954 — Wed, 17 Feb 2021 18:34:44 GMT

@kaydee50 wrote:
Has your observance of Lent changed this year? I feel as though I've already given up a lot and no need to do anything more.

Comments??

WOW. One gave his life for you and you feel like YOU'VE given up enough?

Re: Lent

FiddleDeeDee — Wed, 17 Feb 2021 18:39:52 GMT

"Giving up" for Lent always seems to be the same thing among those I know

*booze

*smoking

*chocolate

*Starbucks

*s#x (always wondered about that one)

I don't know this year as sometimes I think so much has been given up by so many especially if they have lost a loved one due to this nightmare. I suppose, for me, it's not so much giving up but engaging in an activity I dread for whatever reason. Example: dealing with a problem (whatever it may be) instead of saying "I'll tackle it tomorrow". Perhaps the "giving up for Lent" in this case would be giving up a state of comfort.

Re: Lent

Cakers3 — Wed, 17 Feb 2021 18:46:30 GMT

Re: Lent

Anonymous032819 — Wed, 17 Feb 2021 18:50:36 GMT

@rms1954 wrote:
@kaydee50 wrote:
Has your observance of Lent changed this year? I feel as though I've already given up a lot and no need to do anything more.

Comments??

WOW. One gave his life for you and you feel like YOU'VE given up enough?

@rms1954

So?

Is she supposed to give up her life?

Would that make you happier?

I live in California.

Re: Lent

Oznell — Wed, 17 Feb 2021 18:52:17 GMT

It wasn't our tradition to observe Lent in that way, growing up, but I deeply respect those who understand the meaning and observe.

Re: Lent

Meowingkitty — Wed, 17 Feb 2021 20:27:20 GMT

I was raised Catholic and had to celebration Lent when I was a kid but after about 13 or so I stopped. My dad had died and my mom no longer was very religious. She only practiced because he did.

Re: Lent

Sooner — Wed, 17 Feb 2021 20:45:11 GMT

Isn't it about voluntary sacrifice? Giving up things you will miss? Doing it from an acknowledgment of what has been given up for you and how thankful you are for that?

I guess if it doesn't mean much to you, then no point at all in doing it. Not all churches observe Lent.

Re: Lent

walkingal — Wed, 17 Feb 2021 21:01:16 GMT

@PamfromCT I also graduated from an all-girls Catholic high school. I am a little bit younger than you. Yes, they were strict, but I didn't mind. They were excellent educators. Lord Jim was required reading in our freshman year. Anyone who has read Lord Jim will appreciate that.

Re: Lent

FastDogWalker2 — Wed, 17 Feb 2021 21:31:32 GMT

@Cakers3. I like this very much - thank you.

Re: Lent

Catty2 — Wed, 17 Feb 2021 21:34:27 GMT

I always give up something for Lent. This year it's pizza, which I usually have once a week.

Re: Lent

Cakers3 — Wed, 17 Feb 2021 21:56:02 GMT

I also had nuns and we were given cardboard boxes (not very big) to take home and place our loose change in them and then return them on Holy Thursday or at some point before Easter.

I cannot remember the name on them-it wasn't the Rice Bowl box because that started in the 1970's although it may have had the same type of name.

The point was to put in our allowances or money we would have spent on candy, etc. Of course we could still buy things out of the little store the nuns ran-like holy cards and holy water vessels.

I do remember giving up candy during Lent with my sisters but stopped all that long ago.

Those who prefer to give up a favorite food or activity-that is fine.

Those, like myself, who prefer more solitary things (I liked going to the Stations of the Cross several times)-that is fine.

Some do both. That is fine.

The giving up isn't quid pro quo; we were always taught you cannot ever equal the supreme sacrifice but honor it with your daily lives.

Ashes, Easter duty, stations of the Cross, giving up favorites-all are part of the Lenten experience and how one chooses is ok.

There really is no right or wrong way.

Re: Lent

Lipstickdiva — Wed, 17 Feb 2021 22:01:11 GMT

I honestly don't really give up anything for Lent ever.

And I totally forgot that today was Ash Wednesday and made my DH a chicken sandwich for lunch. As I was doing my hair, it dawned on me. Not 5 minutes later he texted me about the chicken sandwich and we aren't supposed to eat meat. LOL

Re: Lent

Lipstickdiva — Wed, 17 Feb 2021 22:04:05 GMT

@Sooner wrote:
Isn't it about voluntary sacrifice? Giving up things you will miss? Doing it from an acknowledgment of what has been given up for you and how thankful you are for that?

I guess if it doesn't mean much to you, then no point at all in doing it. Not all churches observe Lent.

@Sooner , we were always taught it should be a sacrifice. For instance, I don't eat jelly beans so it would be meaningless for me to give up jelly beans for Lent.

Re: Lent

rockygems123 — Wed, 17 Feb 2021 23:21:47 GMT

@Cakers3 wrote:
I'm not sure how long this thread will last because of the religious tone but I haven't given up anything for Lent in years. We didn't even get ashes the past few years although stopping by for the stations of the Cross here and there was something I would do. Usually very quite and peaceful, reflection much deeper that way.

I guess everyone has a different feeling about Lent; some of us will not be affected as much as others but whatever one chooses to do will only matter if done with sincerity and from the heart.

@Cakers3

Beautifully said and particularly that actions done with sincerity and from the heart matter. After all the many repetitious routines like the rosary, Mass, it was easy at least for me to forget the real meaning. Speed rosary lol! Quiet times like you say with a solitary Stations of the Cross can be so meaningful.