Have I given up too much for Lent?

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Meggie18

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Hello!

I have a question regarding Lent. Is it possible that I have given up too many things as my Lenten “resolutions”? Here they are:
  1. 1 h 30 of TV time per day, not more
  2. 30 minutes of Internet per day
  3. 10 Hail Mary per day (I’ve never prayed the rosary)
  4. No chips
I usually watch a lot of TV and spend much time on the computer. I also have to mention that I’m currently on vacation and at home a lot - all my friends are in school. So I don’t have much to do! Plus, I am in therapy two times a week and I am depressed because of it.

Do you think I’ve given up too many things for Lent? It’s only been a week since the beginning and I already think that it’s very hard. I know it’s the point, but I don’t know… I need further opinions.

Thank you 🙂
 
Meggie, it is certainly possible that you have given up too much, but only you can really answer that. Since this is a personal decision, nobody can look at your “list” and tell you. Some may offer their personal opinions, but that’s all they are, opinions.

When I choose my lenten sacrifice I try to remind myself that the purpose is to help me grow closer to God. If that is not being accomplished, than I either refocus myself or change my sacrifice. Don’t be too hard on yourself because the purpose is to grow closer to God through sacrifice.

I hope this helps. Certainly some other folks with have some great suggestions/opinions as well.

God Bless.
 
You really should be talking to your parish priest about this. He can help you find the right balance, neither falling into scrupulosity nor into acedia, and considering your depression. In the meantime, let me suggest –

See Psalm 51: The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

See Matthew 9:12-13: I desire mercy and not sacrifice.

See The Catechism of the Catholic Church 1434-1439: Penance can be expressed in many and various ways, but above all in fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. These and many other forms of penance can be practiced in the daily life of a Christian, particularly during the time of Lent and on the penitential day of Friday.

Note that you should not undertake fasting (from anything, not just food) without talking to your confessor first.
 
Meggie18 said:
Hello!
I have a question regarding Lent. Is it possible that I have given up too many things as my Lenten “resolutions”? Here they are:
  1. 1 h 30 of TV time per day, not more
  2. 30 minutes of Internet per day
  3. 10 Hail Mary per day (I’ve never prayed the rosary)
  4. No chips
I usually watch a lot of TV and spend much time on the computer. I also have to mention that I’m currently on vacation and at home a lot - all my friends are in school. So I don’t have much to do! Plus, I am in therapy two times a week and I am depressed because of it.

Do you think I’ve given up too many things for Lent? It’s only been a week since the beginning and I already think that it’s very hard. I know it’s the point, but I don’t know… I need further opinions.
Thank you 🙂
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Meggie, in my humble opinion, I do not think that one can ever give up too much for God.
You could decide not to watch television at all for the duration of lent or ever again; or
to say a rosary daily, to abstain or indeed to fast daily and so on and so forth and it would still not be enough. What we do is a token and we hope that God would accept it as such. It is completely up to you what it is you want to offer to God during this period of Lent. Whatever it is, given willingly and prayerfully, and only between you and Him, the Lord will accept.🙂
 
I agree that only you can truly know. Sometimes I set very lofty goals for myself and I think this can lead to not achieving them. Intentionally giving something up is laudable and you will find what’s right for you and stick to it. In the meantime, remember that Jesus died for us so it’s okay to be kind to ourselves. Beating yourself up doesn’t serve God. :console:
 
Meggie18 said:
Hello!

I have a question regarding Lent. Is it possible that I have given up too many things as my Lenten “resolutions”? Here they are:
  1. 1 h 30 of TV time per day, not more
  2. 30 minutes of Internet per day
  3. 10 Hail Mary per day (I’ve never prayed the rosary)
  4. No chips
I usually watch a lot of TV and spend much time on the computer. I also have to mention that I’m currently on vacation and at home a lot - all my friends are in school. So I don’t have much to do! Plus, I am in therapy two times a week and I am depressed because of it.

Do you think I’ve given up too many things for Lent? It’s only been a week since the beginning and I already think that it’s very hard. I know it’s the point, but I don’t know… I need further opinions.

Thank you 🙂
Click to expand...
No, I don’t think you have given up too much for Lent. Is it really possible to give up too much? I like that you are also doing more per day, adding the additional Hail Marys to your day. Very good!👍
 
Meggie18 said:
Do you think I’ve given up too many things for Lent? It’s only been a week since the beginning and I already think that it’s very hard. I know it’s the point, but I don’t know… I need further opinions.
Click to expand...
I’m sorry, but no, the point is not to make life “hard”. The point is to cause, by some omission or addition, a constant reminder to meditate in preparation for passover (Easter). This is caused by giving ourselves some slight discomfort. It is similar to when we fast… we get two snacks and a small meal because the point of fasting is not punishment or starvation… it is a constant state of mild hunger which reminds us where we should be focusing.

In the same way, when we give up something for lent, it should serve the purpose not of self punishment, but of being a reminder. If I eat chocolate all the time, and I give up chocolate, I don’t do this to punish myself. I do it so that every time I reach for the candy dish, I remind myself that I am abstaining, and that reminds me to reflect on the upcoming passion (or other mysteries).

So if your selected regimen is too punishing, and impacting your spiritual life, by all means adjust it! You don’t have to go for big or grandiose… Lent is not particularly about “scoring points”… you just need something that will serve as a constant reminder.
 
I thought I’d better hurry since you’ll soon be leaving, but you can read more.
 
Consider the alternative: I just came down with Shingles (I’m only 38) and “only” gave up coffee (plus tea and other brewed beverages).

Last year my back went out.

Another recent year, I had severe gastronomic problems for weeks as I rather suddenly became completely lactose intolerant (needless to say, a shock to an avid milk drinker of three and a half decades).

I’m sure all these health issues were coming down the pike anyway, but each of them during Lent?!?

Maybe the Holy Spirit says I’m not trying hard enough.

I admire your effort, OP. 👍
 
M18,

It may have been a mistake to bring your question here. Given that folks of all walks of faith show up on the forum, you were bound to get everything from “yes, that’s too much” to “no, that’s hardly enough” and everything in between; and that has started.

The fact that you are fighting depression changes the equation for you in any case.

The one you should bring these issues to is your spiritual advisor. If you don’t currently have one, find one asap.

That alone will do you more good Lent-wise than any “bodily” practice you can take on.

God Bless and ICXC NIKA
 
GEddie said:
It may have been a mistake to bring your question here. Given that folks of all walks of faith show up on the forum, you were bound to get everything from “yes, that’s too much” to “no, that’s hardly enough” and everything in between; and that has started.
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It’s also why a universal practice for the Western Church was a good idea. Not the vague “do something” that came out a few decades back.
 
mattkubes said:
It’s also why a universal practice for the Western Church was a good idea. Not the vague “do something” that came out a few decades back.
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I disagree… when you understand the purpose of lenten observances, the “choose what is appropriate to you” method is perfect. That, of course, relies on people understanding what it is about (and not thinking it needs to be punishment or too trivial) and taking it seriously.

An objective standard is, well, too arbitrary… it would be nothing to some and too much to others (example: my girlfriend, a vegetarian, has no problems with meatless Fridays, but she understands the spirit of the law in that regard and gives up MORE on Fridays in order to comply with the purpose of that ruling).

We can all answer “too much” or “too little” all we like, but the reality is that the BEST answer under current teaching is to explain to the person the purpose of lenton observances and then give it back to them to decide for themselves based on their (now informed) examination of conscience.
 
promethius said:
I disagree… when you understand the purpose of lenten observances, the “choose what is appropriate to you” method is perfect. That, of course, relies on people understanding what it is about (and not thinking it needs to be punishment or too trivial) and taking it seriously.
Click to expand...
The purpose of the universal norms was to fast with Our Lord for 40 days. That’s the purpose of the Lenten observances - to fast and do penance in expectation of Easter. The current method is vague and has no connection to the ones practiced by Catholics for just over 1900 years.
An objective standard is, well, too arbitrary… it would be nothing to some and too much to others (example: my girlfriend, a vegetarian, has no problems with meatless Fridays, but she understands the spirit of the law in that regard and gives up MORE on Fridays in order to comply with the purpose of that ruling).
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What? I was referring to the pre-VII norm. Fasting (just like is required now on Ash Wednesday) was required Monday-Saturday with no meat on Fridays or Saturdays. Earlier practices had even more restrictions on the types of food too. I don’t care how small you are, it’s not easy for anyone. You’re basically hungry for 40 days straight, punctuated by Sundays. Lots of traditional Catholics still observe this fast.
 
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