"What are you giving up for Lent?"
That's the question on everyone's lips right now. Of course, as I write this, Mardi Gras is in full effect in cities all over the world, as people indulge one last time before their Lenten sacrifices and fasts. But the question is still there: "What are you giving up for Lent?"
I am hindu and I have thought so much about lent before this year. It just seems this year everyone is talking about it or am I thinking too much?? Anyways, Hindu's never keep lent for anything or do we?? anyways i keep wondering what will I give up if i would have to keep lent??
The more I thought about it, the more I realized that the idea of self-sacrifice, while noble and worthwhile, was beginning to overshadow what Lent was all about. It seems that Christians are very good at creating ceremonies that end up overshadowing the event commemorated. The purpose of Lent is to prepare the observant for Holy Week. It has always been designed to be a time of contemplation, worship, and prayer leading up to the celebration of Christ's resurrection; fasting and "self-sacrifice" was never a means unto itself, but a part of the prayer and worship that went into the season. The denial was intended to remind you to pray — rather than do whatever you're giving up, you pray, or meditate.
But I'm not Catholic, so the question remains — what to give up?
A friend of mine is giving up Chocolates for Lent. I like my share of chocolate however i am not mad for them; I can easily go days sometimes even weeks before I eat one so It would be easy, but that defeats the purpose.
Finally I decided that I would give up something easily as precious as anything I've mentioned: time. Lent is meant to prepare you spiritually for the celebration of the Resurrection, so I am taking that seriously. So for next 40 days I am going to give up reading gossip magzines. No to HELLO, NEW GIRL OR HOUSE KEEPING!!
will see how it goes!!
love,
snehal
