Your Lenten Sacrifice

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BootCampJr

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Apparently, it is customary to give up something during Lent. I have given up soda. In addition, I have dedicated more time for prayer and meditation as I near the Easter Vigil, and my impending graduation from RCIA. BTW, last time I checked, I lost 7 pounds over two weeks ago just by not drinking soda. I have yet to see what my weight is now.

My question, is have you been able to resist temptation by regarding your sacrifice for Lent? I must say, that the temptation to drink soda has been there, but I have been able to refrain within the guidelines I have set for myself regarding my Lenten sacrifice. I find that it is much easier to give up something for Lent than it is to make a New Year’s resolution. With a New Year’s resolution, you are able to squelch on your sacrifice without no one knowing or caring what it is that you sacrificed in the first place. With my Lenten sacrifice, I know that God is holding me to a much higher standard than others would have regarding my New Year’s resolution. I find it much easier to resist the temptation to forgo my Lenten Sacrifice, because I know it is a deal between me and God.

How well are you doing thus far?
 
I think I’m doing okay so far. I’ve given up eating between meals and I’m trying to increase my prayer life.

You are correct about the new years resolutions (I personally NEVER make them). When you do it for Jesus, it has more meaning and I think Jesus grants us the graces necessary to stick with it!

Congrats on your upcoming RCIA graduation! Welcome home 🙂
 
You say giving up soda was easy. I don’t want to assume you purposely chose an easy sacrifice, but far too many of our Catholic brethren give up candy, etc. For the adult Catholic, easy sacrifices are pointless. Again, I don’t mean to conclude that your sacrifice is an easy one.

I decided to give up meat (except fish, of course). This can be an easy sacrifice for some Catholics, but it is a particularly difficult decision for me, being that I’m a raging carnivore. I am faced with my sacrifice several times a day. I regret my sacrifice often, especially at social gatherings where meaty dishes are plentiful. I try talking myself into abandoning my sacrifice for an easier one (“God will understand”).

But all this emotion triggered by my decision to abstain from meat (not only on Fridays, but during the entire 40-day Lenten period) is the point. It provides me an opportunity to see my weakness in such a small and superficial offering. Due to that weakness, I can see clearly my need for Christ and His horrible and beautiful cross.

Peace of Christ,
Romano
 
I have committed to the following and so far its been a cakewalk:
  1. Given up all junk food and all alcohol.
  2. Fasting every Friday rather than just abstinence from meat.
  3. Daily mass every day through Lent and receiving Eucharist.
  4. Stations of the Cross every Friday
  5. Confessions every 1-2 weeks so I can attempt to gain plenary indulgences
  6. Daily prayer: Act of Contrition, St. Gertrude’s Poor Souls Prayer (10), St. Therese Chaplet, St. Michael Chaplet, At least 1 Rosary (in the presence of the tabernacle), Liturgy of The Hours
  7. Staying home on Friday evenings rather than TGIF social activities
  8. Limited recreational activities and replaced with visiting more often with family members
  9. More apologetic and spiritual reading
  10. Weekly visitation of cemetery and rosary prayers for the souls in purgatory
  11. Going to attempt a full 72 hr fast thru the Easter Triduum - used to do this years ago and got headaches and weak so hoping I can still do it.
  12. Start gym routine up again - but this had been setback by over working too quickly and being too sore and strained to recover fast enough
I think next year I am going to try to amend diet to remove all fat, butter, egg and cheeses (like original fasting was) and all red meat for 40 days.

The time seems to be flying.

James
 
I have recently learned that the Lenten sacrifice is considered by many to be a generally a private matter. I will reveal some, but not all, of mine. Sweets, easting any food of any kind on Wednesday and Friday (major fast), and, on Holy Thursday through Good Friday, no sleep, food, or anything to drink (e.g. water).
 
rpp said:
I have recently learned that the Lenten sacrifice is considered by many to be a generally a private matter. I will reveal some, but not all, of mine. Sweets, easting any food of any kind on Wednesday and Friday (major fast), and, on Holy Thursday through Good Friday, no sleep, food, or anything to drink (e.g. water).
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I was hesitant to list for the same reason. But since its pretty anonymous here I saw not harm in it.

James
 
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