LENT: How important is it to give something up?

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JamalChristophr

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Perhaps I’m not the only one, but I don’t mortify myself very easily, it seems. Anybody have some encouragement and good reasons for doing this? I think it is not mandatory, is it? But it also seems a key aspect or tradition for Catholics during Lent.

Thankyou and a Grace-filled Lent to All!
 
JamalChristophr said:
Perhaps I’m not the only one, but I don’t mortify myself very easily, it seems. Anybody have some encouragement and good reasons for doing this? I think it is not mandatory, is it? But it also seems a key aspect or tradition for Catholics during Lent

Thankyou and a Grace-filled Lent to All!
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Other than fast and abstinence on the specified days, “mortification” is not a canonical requirement, per se.

It is, however, very strongly encouraged as a limited means of standing with our LORD during His 40 days.

I think it would not go amiss to converse with a priest who knows you and can give guidance on this matter.

ICXC NIKA
 
Lent is the liturgical season where we try to emulate (the best we can) the sacrifice made by Christ. Of course, “giving something up” for Lent can never equate to Christ giving up his human life for our salvation.

Giving up things like candy or soft drinks always seemed silly to me, because such a sacrifice surely pales to Christ’s, but on thinking about it, I don’t think that’s the point…its more about the willingness to sacrifice at least something that is appealing to us.

I kinda like Pope Francis’s suggestion. In a recent homily or audience, he said if we want to give something up for Lent to “Give up Indifference”! That would be difficult and meaningful…and I think I’m going to give it a go, this Lent.

Peace and all good!
 
For some people, the best thing to do during Lent is to give something up so there is room for God to more fully enter your life. Or as one priest said on a retreat, “If you’re not full of the Holy Spirit you’re probably full of something else!”

For others, doing something extra is the best way to observe Lent.

Only you can decide what is best for you. As others have said, speaking with a priest or someone who can be honest with you would be a valuable option.
 
I am a fan of talk radio so I have decided to sacrifice 2 or more hours a day of talk radio and replace it with a Rosary and spiritual reading.
I have 4 books on Lenten reflections that I plan to read during that time during the 40 days. I used to give up chocolate and soda , but I think this draws me closer to Jesus and Mary as an adult.
 
I’m in the same boat–I really don’t want to do anything, and tell myself “I’m pretty holy, right?”

Which I think is a great sign that I need to do something serious this year.

I will be offering up my suffering for my wife and kids, which I hope will give me the perseverance to stick with it. Christ told us that some things can only be accomplished with fasting, which I think can more broadly me applied to mortification, so perhaps chose something dear to you, and offer your suffering up for that cause.
 
I decided to do something extra. I have done it before and hope I will do it even “better” this time.
That is, keeping a jounral in whoch I reflect e-g- on the scripture readings of the day, and on growing in my faith and relying on God’s mercy… have had a long struggle with scurpulosity and Lent is a good time to offer up such fears and doubts to God. To allign them with Jesus’ suffering maybe even.
Also to get a better hold on nervousness and impatience; they often go together with fears and just a general feeling of time running away and living under pressure… to trust God more. I do trust Him but in practice it is so often difficult and fearfulness gets the upper hand.

And I have sooo many reasons to be extremely grateful

I also had the thought: I can try to give up scruples. That is, giving up giving in to scruples. Being stronger against them.

not putting pressure on myself though. it is a TRY.
Neofight said:
I kinda like Pope Francis’s suggestion. In a recent homily or audience, he said if we want to give something up for Lent to “Give up Indifference”! That would be difficult and meaningful…and I think I’m going to give it a go, this Lent.
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What exactly did he mean, like: Feeling for others more, for example when we hear a sad story, caring more about our brothers and sisters, the environment, etc?
 
Normally, I fast during Lent. One meal a day is very beneficial spiritually, and prayer and sacrifice make it an enriching experience. But this year, one of the biggest struggles in my mind is the fact that I know I shouldn’t do my normal fast. I’ve been suffering from severe depression, and routinely stop eating because of the mental illness; I’m basically required to eat multiple times a day now, and that’s honestly harder for me now than fasting used to be. So this year, Lent is going to be a different kind of humility. It’s a greater sacrifice for me to choose to eat a meal than to give it up.

Humility is really the word that is defining my Lenten outlook this year. I’m really having to learn to submit myself to God, and to allow myself to feel His love. I’m trying to do little things like wear a chapel veil as an outside sign of humility and practice submitting to others around me as an inward struggle. Depression is very difficult lately, and I feel God has a lesson for me to learn throughout all of this.

Giving something up for Lent is what we tend to grow up hearing (for cradle Catholics), but as I’ve been getting older, I’m beginning to discover that it’s more important for me personally to find a way to grow. Things I can do in order to draw myself closer to Him. Whether that’s giving up your coffee or adding a rosary to your daily prayers or actively recognizing your personal limits, it’s such a personal journey.
 
Funny story from mass today. A newly ordained priest visited and handled the homily. He had a pretty funny joke. Something along the lines of “IT is a time that most of us give something up. I have given something up as well, but as a new priest, they told me it probably wasn’t a good idea to tell you what I gave up”…
 
CatholicSooner said:
Funny story from mass today. A newly ordained priest visited and handled the homily. He had a pretty funny joke. Something along the lines of “IT is a time that most of us give something up. I have given something up as well, but as a new priest, they told me it probably wasn’t a good idea to tell you what I gave up”…
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Giving ho-hum homilies?? 😃
 
Well, our priest, using today’s gospel text about not doing things in order that other see us do it as a guideline, stressed how it was not the point of it at all that everybody around us should know what we gave up or intend to do for Lent. Instead, we should do it for the love of God.
So I felt guilty about having posted anything here at all…😊;).
 
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