Giving something up for Lent

[TheInquisitor]

Is it permissible instead of giving something up to add some sort of penance to my life for Lent?

I had an idea to read the bible for 30 minutes a day and was wondering if that was ok. A friend of mine told me it wasn’t. If it isn’t I’m sure I can figure out something else to do for Lent.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Is it permissible instead of giving something up to add some sort of penance to my life for Lent?

I had an idea to read the bible for 30 minutes a day and was wondering if that was ok. A friend of mine told me it wasn’t. If it isn’t I’m sure I can figure out something else to do for Lent.

The three pillars of Lent are prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. For some reason many people focus on the idea of fasting and ignore the other two.

Reading the Bible can be a great way of adding more prayer into your life and bring you closer to the Lord. Go for it!

More info: catholic.org/clife/lent/faq.php#prayer

 

[SteveGC]

Is it permissible instead of giving something up to add some sort of penance to my life for Lent?

I had an idea to read the bible for 30 minutes a day and was wondering if that was ok. A friend of mine told me it wasn’t. If it isn’t I’m sure I can figure out something else to do for Lent.

As far as I’m aware, the only mandatory during Lent is to observe the fasting/abstinence days: Ash Wednesday and Good Friday for fasting and abstinence - all other Fridays for abstinence. Anything outside of this requirement is “permissible”, assuming what we’re doing (adding) is not sinful of course.

Now, what we should be doing includes prayer, fasting and almsgiving. And we certainly should be exercising daily penance of some form or another, and overall committing ourselves daily to a deepening of our faith and relationship with our Lord.

But if you talk in terms of what is “permissible”, then that points to what is required of us by the Church, and that’s the fasting/abstinence days. So, your friend is wrong, unless you were attempting to replace the mandatory fasting/abstinence with bible reading. If that’s the case, your friend is right that you must atleast observe the fast/abstinence days. But it is “permissible” to add whatever else you’d like, and/or give up whatever else you’d like, or not add/give up anything else at all.

 

[Catholic1954]

Is it permissible instead of giving something up to add some sort of penance to my life for Lent?

I had an idea to read the bible for 30 minutes a day and was wondering if that was ok. A friend of mine told me it wasn’t. If it isn’t I’m sure I can figure out something else to do for Lent.

An excellent idea!

 

[revert_jen]

Is it permissible instead of giving something up to add some sort of penance to my life for Lent?

I had an idea to read the bible for 30 minutes a day and was wondering if that was ok. A friend of mine told me it wasn’t. If it isn’t I’m sure I can figure out something else to do for Lent.

A great idea, but why not do both? You don’t have to, though. But it is good sometimes, because giving something up comes and hits you at odd moments, reminding you more often of the reason for the penance.

One thing a priest said once that I remember though, is, “Don’t give up something that becomes someone else’s penance.” Basically, if (for example) giving up coffee makes you a complete misery to your family, that’s not a penance for you, it’s a penance for them. Do something else.

–Jen

 

[Layman_F]

(for example) giving up coffee makes you a complete misery to your family, that’s not a penance for you, it’s a penance for them. Do something else.

–Jen

That’s FUNNY!

 

[Waiting]

Is it permissible instead of giving something up to add some sort of penance to my life for Lent?

I had an idea to read the bible for 30 minutes a day and was wondering if that was ok. A friend of mine told me it wasn’t. If it isn’t I’m sure I can figure out something else to do for Lent.

Bible reading is a great idea. Better than giving up something, which is a negative, we should be looking for ways that we can do something for someone – a positive. We can volunteer wherever we spend our time. Especially at home, the little extras we go out of our way to do for family will be appreciated, and more than likely promote a more loving atmosphere. Extending our care and concern will help our soul, and the souls of all we touch.