“I gave up sweets.”
“Oh, I can’t eat meat.”
You may have heard people describing their diet restrictions, or you might have seen people with ash crosses on their foreheads.
What does it mean and why do we do it?
The Lenten season consists of 40 days of prayer, fasting and Almsgiving to prepare Christians for Jesus Christ’s resurrection.
The Lenten season represents the 40 days and nights Jesus fasted leading up to his crucifixion. It starts with Ash Wednesday when priests use ash to draw a cross on follower’s foreheads to mark the start of the season. Many Christian churches end the season with Easter Mass.
While Lent is observed by a variety of dominations, it is most historically associated with Catholics, Eastern Orthodox and some Protestant denominations. It is also observed by churches that follow a liturgical calendar with special services and holidays celebrated every year on particular days.
I am part of the Syro-Malabar Catholic rite and we have 50 days of Lent also known as വലിയ നോമ്പ് (Valiya Nombu translated to Great Lent). It combines the traditional 40 days and nights, Sundays and the Holy Week.
However, Lent’s main pillars are the same for many branches, while the method would be different.
Prayer focuses on the need for God’s forgiveness, repenting for our sins and receiving God’s mercy and love. This could be through attending Mass on days other than Sundays or a personal prayer to God. It can be wherever you are comfortable, whether at home or in church. The goal is to grow closer to God.
Some observers start the Lenten season with the Sacrament of Reconciliation also known as Confession for Catholics, which is confessing your sins in front of a priest, who represents Jesus, to wash out the previous sins and start anew.
“It’s not just about removing things. It’s about letting God fill that space,” AP World history teacher Rocky Fraid said.
The most disruptive pillar, fasting. Fasting is giving something up that is a regular part of life to remind us of Christ’s sacrifice.
It should not be something that you can easily give up, but something you rely on and use every day.
From having to stop eating sugary foods, meat or social media, the time gained can be replaced with time connecting with God.
“It’s not just about giving up sweets. It’s about sacrificing something you enjoy as a reminder of something bigger than yourself,” AP U.S. history teacher Kory Kaspar said.
This year, I gave up all meat excluding fish, initially thinking it wouldn’t be very hard. But throughout this season, I realized how much meat made up my diet and was now replaced with more green vegetables.
“You can give up anything that holds you back, like social media or caffeine,” senior Neena Padinjarekkoott said.
The time gained and replaced to spend time with God is often overlooked. If someone gave up social media, then the time they spent scrolling could be spent reading the Bible and scriptures.
The last pillar is Almsgiving. It represents donating and doing good for others to model to God’s grace, generosity and love.
One of my favorite verses,“You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31) sums up Almsgiving.
A neighbor is anyone in need. Charity work, volunteering with soup kitchens and helping a friend with yard work are all ways of Almsgiving.
The Lenten season tends to be a hard time with many accidentally breaking their sacrifices along the way.
“You’re human. You will mess up. The point isn’t perfection. It’s continuing to move forward,” Kaspar said.
Lent is about reflecting on your sacrifices. They are not supposed to be easy, but it is the mindset that pushes you to continue through with your commitment. Lent may end on Easter Sunday, but the meaning and lessons carry on.
“It makes you think about your actions even outside of the Lenten season, like being kinder and more respectful,” Padinjarekkoott said.
The discipline followed during the season does not disappear.
“There’s no resurrection without the cross,” Fraid said. “You have to go through the hard part first.”
Follow CHSCampus News on X.
