Question about Lent

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child_of_God85

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I have a question about Lent. For the past few years during lent I give up something I really like for 40 days, like most catholics. In the past I’ve given up stuff like video games, meat, stuff that I’ll go back to after lent is over.
Well, someone told me yesterday that it has to be something thats bad for me. If thats the case then I’m giving up the wrong things. Can someone clear this up for me?
 
I have heard in the past to try and give up something that you would find hard to give up. This Lent I have a different strategy, if I can call it that, I am not giving up anything at all. I am adding stuff Like the Rosary, more Mass, Devotional readings etc
 
One’s Lenten journey is a very individual one. Each person has to choose what they want to sacrifice. The Church mandates only a few things for Lent leaving us quite a bit of room to personalize our journey!
 
child_of_God85 said:
I have a question about Lent. For the past few years during lent I give up something I really like for 40 days, like most catholics. In the past I’ve given up stuff like video games, meat, stuff that I’ll go back to after lent is over.
Well, someone told me yesterday that it has to be something thats bad for me. If thats the case then I’m giving up the wrong things. Can someone clear this up for me?
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No, it does not have “to be something thats bad.” It needs to be a sacrifice on your part. For some, they give up TV, others may put down their coffee mugs for the 40 days. Yes, there are people (I was one of them) who stopped smoking for lent (a “bad habit”); however, since I no long smoke, I had to come up with something else. This year I have increased the fasting requirement (only 1 meal a day everyday but Sunday) for myself. I’ve also put aside all alcohol (that ones not too big a sacrifice). Each person is different and so you must decide for yourself what is an acceptable sacrifice to offer up. God bless.

PS - Remember to increase in charity and prayer during this holy season as well. 👍
 
child_of_God85 said:
I have a question about Lent. For the past few years during lent I give up something I really like for 40 days, like most catholics. In the past I’ve given up stuff like video games, meat, stuff that I’ll go back to after lent is over.
Well, someone told me yesterday that it has to be something thats bad for me. If thats the case then I’m giving up the wrong things. Can someone clear this up for me?
Click to expand...
As another poster pointed out, the Church allows us to make these decisions ourselves. However, it seems to me that it would actually be more appropriate to choose something that WASN’T bad. If something is bad, you should probably be giving it up anyway. I think it’s better to give up something above and beyond what you should be giving up anyway. But that’s just my opinion. 🙂
 
It seems far too often people see Lent as a 40 day self-improvement program (I referring to the non spiritual) or a Church-sponsored diet. Sometimes self-improvement and weight loss DO occur during Lent, but I think we have to be very careful not to make that our goal.
 
child_of_God85 said:
I have a question about Lent. For the past few years during lent I give up something I really like for 40 days, like most catholics. In the past I’ve given up stuff like video games, meat, stuff that I’ll go back to after lent is over.
Well, someone told me yesterday that it has to be something thats bad for me. If thats the case then I’m giving up the wrong things. Can someone clear this up for me?
Click to expand...
In the desert Jesus gave up the necessities of life (good things) and devoted Himself to prayer. During this time we are to give something up AND pray more. This will vary person to person, obviously. Ask the Holy Spirit for guidance, it should be easy, but shouldn’t be so hard that you set yourself up for failure. God Bless.
 
I think Lent is all about improving ourselves. We should try to become better people for the sake of the Lord. We are works in progress and Lent is a time to assess ourselves, repent for our shortcomings, resolve to do better, and improve ourselves.
 
Thanks for the answers. It makes more sense to me to give up something that’ll be a big sacrifice. It just confused me a bit the other day when that person said otherwise.
I try to give up a few things every year. This year I’ve given up all sweets, soda, and my favorite rock band. I’m doing fine with the no sweets and soda, but I’m going nuts not listening to my favorite music. Oh well, it makes me feel good to be sacrificing listening to my favorite band for God.
 
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