Lent

[marysmerrycats]

how many people are giving something up for Lent?
I have given up, soda, and pizza!...and Im craving both LOL

[mugsy]

Geez, do you have a death wish?? hehehe I don't give up anything, because I know I don't have enough will power, but I do follow the no meat Fridays.

[NoahsMommy]

I'm not Catholic, but I am fasting soda until Easter as well.

[Soledad]

I miss Lent! I always gave up whatever was most precious to me because my mom used to tell us the story of Jesus in the desert with such detail, that I knew I should honour it. I was a very devout little girl, surprisingly enough.

[popcornbird]

I'm confused! What's Lent? Anyone care to explain?

[mugsy]

If you miss it, you should participate. I don't see why you shouldn't, even if you are an atheist, look at it as a character strengthener!! lol

[Soledad]

Agnostic, really. But every now and then I get nostalgic, and will hang out in Catholic churches. I just LOVE the smell and the feel, just the peace of being inside the church.

I guess I could still do it. But aren't I late?

[mugsy]

Nah...just consider yourself a late bloomer!! ehehehe

[Karen]

Popcornbird, Lent is a period of time in the Christian calendar of 40 days (not counting Sundays) before Holy Week. Holy Week starts on Palm Sunday, (which commemorates Jesus' ride into Jerusalem) include Maunday Thursday (which commemorates the Last Supper), Good Friday (the crucifixion) and East (the ressurection). Lent echoes the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness, when he was tempted by the devil, and had to consider the ultimate sacrifice of his life. The actual days vary each year, because it Holy Week coincides with Passover, celebrated by the Jewish faith, and that's based on an older calendar..

So for this period of time, Christians often "give something up" to honor Jesus' sacrifice. Many Catholics don't eat red meat on Fridays during Lent, as one example.

[popcornbird]

Oh I see! What do people normally "give up?" Can you give up anything, or it has to be something in particular? Thanks for explaining!

[Soledad]

I always thought it was best to give up something you'd truly miss or to break a bad habit. I thought it meant more when it was something you'd truly miss.

Too bad my brothers didn't think so, they always gave up asparagus.

[Karen]

Originally posted by popcornbird
Oh I see! What do people normally "give up?" Can you give up anything, or it has to be something in particular? Thanks for explaining!

I'm not Catholic, so I'm not sure for strict Catholics, but you can just choose something yourself, usually something you enjoy, so it is a "sacrifice." It's a personal choice.

[popcornbird]

Originally posted by Soledad


Too bad my brothers didn't think so, they always gave up asparagus.

LOL

[mugsy]

Actually it's not just red meat, it's all meat exept fish.

ASPARAGUS!!?? lol.

I can never decide what I want to give up and then I end up not giving anything up because I can't seem to make a command decision.

[Cincy'sMom]

Originally posted by Karen


I'm not Catholic, so I'm not sure for strict Catholics, but you can just choose something yourself, usually something you enjoy, so it is a "sacrifice." It's a personal choice.

Good explaination. In Catholic grade school we were alwys told you didn't have to give something up per se, but make some sacrifice. It could be giving up something or it could be doing something extra