Lent isn’t just about ‘giving up’

For many Catholics, Lent is the season for growing in their faith.

Without speaking for all Catholics, I want to share my personal experience with Lent as a Catholic. I don’t want to preach; I just want to explain the purpose behind Lent from the things I’ve been taught.

During this time of year, I hear a lot of comments like “religion is stupid” and how stupid it is that “you have to give something up to be Catholic,” and that “Jesus loves us even if we don’t give up anything.” And I won’t disagree with those statements necessarily, but give me a chance to explain why I choose to participate in Lent.

The Lenten season is celebrated 40 days before Easter every year and it is considered a time of preparation for Easter. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent.

Typically, during this time, Catholics change something about their daily lives. For example, this year for Lent, I am giving up pop and complaining. Also, on Fridays during Lent, Catholics normally forgo eating meat for the day.

Many people think that participating in these Lenten traditions is a requirement to be Catholic. But the truth is, we always have a choice. Nobody says, “if you don’t give up something for Lent, you are going to be excommunicated from the church.”

It is optional for Catholics to participate in Lent.

I signed up for a group on Facebook called “Best Lent Ever.” I get a video or quote from Dynamic Catholic every day; these videos are designed to help Catholics like myself have a successful Lent. The main theme of these videos is that God calls us to be the best version of ourselves.

And, believing that to be true is the reason I, along with many other Catholics, give something, or multiple things, up for Lent. It is so we can become better Christians. The period of Lenten is intended to draw us closer to God.

So if that means giving up pop so you are a healthier person, good for you. If it means giving up complaining so that you treat other people better and in turn become a better Christian, good for you.

As for the not eating meat on Fridays, Jesus fasted in the desert for 40 days, so Catholics give up meat on Fridays, just one day a week, to become more like Jesus. Obviously, sacrificing meat is a  minute sacrifice compared to Jesus’s, but any little thing that helps us become more like Jesus is a good thing.

Lent is considered a time of preparation for Easter. It’s used to become a better person and a stronger Catholic, but it is not a requirement to participate in Lent to be Catholic or to earn God’s love.

I want to be the best Christian I can be. I know I have a ways to go, but believing that sacrificing during the Lenten season can help me get a little closer to that goal is the reason I personally participate in Lent.