Ah, Lent... Yep, it's that time again. Pretty much everyone you run into is familiar with the idea of giving something up. If you are Catholic, it's almost an expectation from those around you. There are many people that aren't Catholic, other Christian sects, that will also give something up for Lent as well, but mainly, it seems associated with Catholics as accurate or inaccurate as that may be.
This time honored tradition is intended to be a form of self-sacrifice as we make preparations for Easter. We remember the suffering of Christ for our sins just prior to His resurrection and although our own "giving something up" would never match the sacrifice of our Savior, it helps to ground us and bring us back to the gravity of our sins. At least, it's supposed to.
When I was young, I noticed that giving something up for Lent became a very much a contest of who could be more sacrificing. A person who loved soft drinks suddenly took every opportunity to declare, "Oh, no, I can't have that, I gave it up for Lent." It almost becomes a competition prior to the start of Lent, "So, what are you giving up for Lent?" A challenge that, to me, comes off as, "How holy are you? Are you a good Christian/Catholic? Can I come up with a better sacrifice than you?" Lenten sacrifices take on a whole new face when during the six week time period things that are given up become new topics of conversation. "I'm sorry I'm so tired lately, I gave up caffeine for Lent and it's really wearing on me." Today's social media avenues are a great medium for expressing one's plight, "Day three of no chocolate. I would love a Snickers right about now." I can't help it, but all I see is, "Look at me, look at me, aren't I holy?" with a side of "Feel sorry for me and these religious practices I've adopted."
Another phenomenon that happens, though surely less frequently, I'd hope, is the sacrifice that really isn't a sacrifice. "Oh, I'm giving up skydiving" for someone who never goes skydiving, or "I'm giving up McDonald's" for a person who never goes. More often, this type of sacrifice is probably more likely seen from one who only has minimal interactions with the "negative" item, a person who eats ice cream once or twice a week to give up ice cream really isn't a sacrifice, or someone who gives up exercise when they really want an excuse to get out of doing it.
Possibly the most common habit is that of giving up something that the person perceives as bad. People choose unhealthy dietary habits that they feel have become excessive, intake of chocolate or soft drinks. Some decide to avoid certain spending habits they feel have gotten out of hand and decide to give up Starbucks visits or regular trips to the video store. More recently, perceived social media addictions are coming under assault with a large number of people bidding farewell to Facebook and Twitter for the next 40 days. While these things may fall under that category of sacrifice, I'm not sure that it achieves the purpose. In the case of some, it's an excuse to jump start self-improvement, but does that really do anything to bring glory to God? It may benefit your health, your pocketbook, your relationship with friends and family, but what about your relationship with God?
And all of this for what? Does giving up chocolate really bring you closer to God and closer to being the type of person you want to be for Him?
In more recent years, we've heard at church (at Catholic churches anyway) a recommendation to alter the perception of Lenten sacrifice. Rather than being encouraged to give something up, we are encouraged to take on something that brings us closer to God. Suggestions include attending daily mass or getting more involved in charity work. Sometimes it is difficult to work such things into our schedule. It is a sacrifice, after all.
No matter what we choose for our Lenten sacrifice, should we choose to participate, I think it's important to keep in mind Matthew 6:16-18. Just sayin'.
