March 1, 2010
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Lent...
Lent is the practice of giving up something for spiritual renewal for some Christians. It's become a cultural tradition and less of a spiritual renewal process over the years, and yet I am seeing signs that we need to practice Lent as Americans daily. We have gotten so self-indulgent and entitled- as if the whole world owes us something and as if we've done something great that we deserve to treat ourselves- constantly. Giving up donuts, chocolate, candy, or soda for the few weeks before Easter can be meaningless acts of imitation spirituality unless they are accompanied with the sense of unworthiness. How can one think to compare not eating donuts to the sacrifice of the cross? Unless the act of denial brings you face to face with the loving grace of the Savior, you might as well keep eating donuts. Without a deep understanding that sacrifice is a gift to ourselves as well as to God, Lent is another empty gesture. When did it become part of every day life to think we are entitled to more and that we owe it to ourselves to treat ourselves? Where did this sense of the need to indulge come from? Things that were rare moments of joy are dull, every day happenings. We take it for granted and refuse to deny ourselves anything. It is a moment of great sacrifice when we have to do without cream in our coffee one morning or the milk ran out and no one went to the store. Happiness is rated by what we own, where we go, what's in our fridge, the kind of car we drive. We are spoiled brats who need to grow up and start making choices that will change the world around us.
True Lent happens every day of the year as you focus on the real things of the heart and less on the outward trappings. True Lent gives you a contented heart in all situations and a sense of peace in the turmoil. Sacrifice the things that really matter- an arrogant heart, the desire to achieve in spite of the cost to others, the attitude of self-indulgence. Oh yeah, and go ahead and give up the donuts! Make them a special treat that you cherish once again! Practice living a life of quietness, of worship, of sacrifice, and watch the feeling of grace and love pour in.
Comments (21)
Good post!
Excellent!
@SamsPeeps - Macho, macho man! I've got to be a macho man! Macho...
@La_Chose_En_Soi -
LOL!
"Young man, there's a place you can go. I said, young man, when you're short on your dough.
You can stay there, and I'm sure you will find many ways to have a good time...
It's fun to stay at the y-m-c-a! It's fun to stay at the y-m-c-a..."
Every year I think about this and I have to meet you halfway. Jesus is an amazing and powerful figure, but His Sacrifice and the necessity of it only make sense to me about once every ten years. I keep trying to wrap my head and especially my heart around it, but it's not sticking. Therein lies the problem and the reason for my lack of belief. Still, I participate in Lent as a reminder of Jesus's sacrifice as a man. I remember the sacrifices parents, members of the military, teachers, loved ones make for me and others all the time. I remember to be humble and patient and ever thankful. Despite my lack of specific faith, I still hold true to my e-mail signature - Be thankful - Always.
Die to yourself -- what a concept. Thanks for the reminder
Good things to think about, Jeri. Am so looking forward to seeing all of you again. It has been toooooo long. Saw a pic of you on Geni in the kitchen in Albuquerque. Made me really sad to know I won't be hanging out with you in that kitchen again. Guess I'll have to hang out in your new kitchen whenever I can. See ya soon. Nikki
@bluelake1 - two ppl can't hang out in the new kitchen!
but i can't wait to see you guys!!!!!!!
@BoureeMusique - thinking about this stuff seriously is something you do well...
An excellent post! So true on so many different levels, whether one is a Christian, Catholic or simply use Lent (like many people do) for another chance at “resolution time” like New Years.
i don't think it's just americans who need to practice this. it's the whole WORLD. the whole world is in moral decay and about self, not just americans, but thanks for the generalization.
@riahlOmeal - that may be very true, but i can only seriously comment on the culture i see before me. i suspect it is part of the human condition, and it is a generalization bc i know some ppl who are very selfless and sacrificial- they are just very rare beings!
@SamsPeeps - @La_Chose_En_Soi - you two can play on my site any time! thanks for making me laugh!
@athanasius2k4 - resolutions w/o faith... wonder why we feel the need to do so... hmmmm....
Getting down to the heart of the matter before getting down to the visually noticible part. Good job! May God direct, keep, and bless you and yours, and give you (based on your post - > the opportunity for?) all the godly desires of your heart,
Clay
@jerjonji -
nah that's just called living the christian life. and being moral.
I have a vastly different perspective on such things, but that's what makes the world go round. I occasionally practice small sacrifices (or I used to, anyway) as simple exercises in discipline, preparing me for occasionally necessary major sacrifices that might crop up.
@riahlOmeal - morality w/o belief... why does that happen?
@twoberry - the whole faithful in the small things... there is something to that concept as well.
@jerjonji -
if there were no morality as a cause of religion/christianity, do you honestly think there would be MORE good in the world?
I remember in 2nd grade, sister maura jude would have a box of notes, each saying what we needed to sacrifice. It always seemed moot to me because we were not very rich and whether I picked "no chocolate this week" or "no soda", I'd just shrug my shoulders, because at home we didn't have chocolate or soda anyway. So for me, this giving up stuff for lent is rather meaningless. I understand the symbolism, but events and feelings and reactions that are experienced in one's early years have a tendency to stay with you even as adults. I'd rather lead a humble life, doing what I can to help others. And for me that is to teach.
Is this called rationalizing?
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