About giving up something for Lent

For as long as I can remember, my parents encouraged me to give up something for Lent. They were particularly clear that giving up something for Lent is not the same as giving up something as a New Year's resolution. Dieting and giving up cigarettes do not count, according to Mom and Dad. Do that on January 1st - not the first day of Lent. They taught as I grew up that I am to give up something that reminds me of my Lenten resolve during the forty days before Easter.

When I was older, they clarified that this thing given up is something that I truly want - not a lighthearted gesture that was only a slight annoyance. It needed to be something that stopped me, that is, caused me to pause and in that way, remind me of the suffering of Christ (the Passion of the Christ) and remind me to stop and reflect on myself. I don't always like to do that. It's like looking in a mirror just a little too closely and finding some imperfection that I'd rather ignore.

I also try to spend some time reading material related to Lent and Easter, and to reflect on the Passion of the Christ. We know what Jesus did, but I try to also reflect on the fact that Jesus knew his fate and accepted it without question - for us. Dwelling on that helps me to appreciate a bit more of the great and wondrous gift of salvation - freely given to us if we ask.

These are just some of the things that I do during the forty days of Lent. . .