Lent

What have you given up for Lent?

It is a question that is asked of most catholic Christians every Lenten season. Lent is best known for the abstinence that is practiced (or not practiced) during this season. But there is so much more to Lent than just abstaining from meat or fasting from food.

Lent is a time when we are to look deep within ourselves and ask the hard questions. Do I live out my faith as I should? Are my motives right? Do I really believe what I profess to believe or do I believe what others want me to? It is a time to look at the core of our spiritual being and ask if there is more we should be doing or is there something we should be doing without.

Lent is not all about fasting and abstinence. It is also about doing deeds that we know we should be doing but are not doing. For instance, you can decide to go to confession at least twice during Lent. You can resolve to go to Mass 3 times during the week as well as on Sundays. You can set aside time to read your Bible 30 minutes everyday. You can spend time to say the Rosary once daily.

Here is a short list of things I think you could do to make your Lent more productive and more holy:

1. Spend 30 minutes in prayer everyday.
2. Go to Mass at least twice during the week (and on Sunday, of course!).
3. Pray the Rosary everyday (at least one decade a day to start with the goal being a full 5 decades everyday by Easter).
4. Find creative ways to live out one of the Corporal Works of Mercy everyday (You know: Feed the hungry, Give drink to the thirsty, Clothe the naked, Shelter the homeless, Visit the sick, Visit those in prison, Bury the dead).
5. Incorporate the Spiritual Works of Mercy in your daily life (Admonish sinners, Instruct the ignorant, Counsel the doubtful, Comfort the sorrowful, Bear wrongs patiently, Forgive injuries, Pray for the living and the dead).
6. Send someone you have wronged an apology letter.
7. Send someone who wronged you a letter asking to mend the wrong.
8. Forget a debt (someone ask for a loan, you give it to them and don’t expect or accept repayment).
9. Check in on an elderly neighbor.

If you want to give up something for Lent, but you can’t fast or abstain for medical reasons, here are some ideas:

1. Give up Facebook or Myspace for Lent.
2. Give up a video game or computer game.
3. Give up carbonated sodas.
4. Give up chocolate.
5. Give up deserts.
6. Give up swearing.
7. Give up gossiping.
8. Give up sarcasm and negativity.
9. Give up cigarettes.
10 Give up alcohol.

What are some of your ideas for things to do or to give up during Lent?