How does sacrificing something bring us closer to God?

[scapularkid8]

I feel a little dumb to be asking this question, and I’m not trying to be rebellious, but I’m just curious of the logic behind sacrificing something during Lent bringing us closer to Him. I really want to grow spiritually this Lent and I just don’t know how. Thanks

 

[Dorothy]

scapularkid8:

I feel a little dumb to be asking this question, and I’m not trying to be rebellious, but I’m just curious of the logic behind sacrificing something during Lent bringing us closer to Him. I really want to grow spiritually this Lent and I just don’t know how. Thanks

We learn how to discipline ourselves by not giving in to some of the things that please our senses. This helps us to focus more on the things of the spirit, and to grow spiritually. It is so easy to get caught up in a lot of little things that give us pleasure, and focus on them in such a way that we can be irritable when we cannot have them.

We can unite the suffering that we feel with our Lord’s great suffering for us. It is a small thing to do in return, and helps us to appreciate His total self-giving to us.

 

[AlanFromWichita]

I think it helps remind us that our attachments to material things are breakable. That keeps us from relying on worldly things and keeps us aware of what our true needs are (God, food, water, shelter, etc) compared with what our desires are.

If we can give up our desires, then we have gained some strength against the world controlling us by making things desirable that distract us from what other activity our vocation may call us to engage in.

Alan

 

[Agricola]

I believe it’s about making God the most important thing in our lives. If we separate ourselves from other things, even good things (like icecream), we are able to recognize how the only truly necessary thing is God, and only through Him we are able to have all the good things we have.

God bless,

Agricola