Oh, Lent, you’re already here… you always seem to come so fast! I felt like New Year’s Eve was yesterday and we are already on the cusp of spring! A special day alerting us that spring is near is Ash Wednesday, marking the start of some 40 days until Easter. It’s not just a time to look forward to chocolate bunnies, colored eggs, and baskets full of candies…
Traditionally, this time leading up to Easter is considered a period of reflection, going “within”, prayer, meditation, fasting, doing “good deeds” and most popularly, making personal sacrifices.
Although I was raised Catholic, I am no longer practicing (forgive me, Father). I consider myself spiritual but still observe the Lenten season every year. I find Lent a highly spiritual period, religious or not; it is a time to awaken an awareness around what I can improve in my life. Although this is a challenging time, the tradition to look inward; observe one’s life, and set positive challenges and commitments for a set period of time is quite beautiful and unusually rewarding.
To keep it simple, Lent lasts around 40 days; from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday. As mentioned, it is a period of time to look inward, but also make a commitment to something and/or make sacrifices in one’s life. If I were to compare Lent to the resolutions we make on New Year’s Eve, it seems a lot less daunting. Why is that? Well, it’s only around 40 days! With a New Year’s resolution, it seems indefinite; forever and ever (amen?). That is a very, very long time and I doubt most people stick with it. In fact, studies show that people don’t. A new habit is supposedly formed in a mere 21 days… imagine sticking to something for 40? Again, it could be a commitment to something positive, a sacrifice, a period of reflection, or all of the above.
Maybe you weren’t raised Catholic and are asking, well what the heck is Lent anyhow, how did it start, and why do you Catholics punish yourself?! I can see it now, non-Catholics imaging us hunched over in a dark corner, repenting sins and scourging ourselves with some medieval-looking whip, alternating shoulders until we bleed. No, no, my friend, it’s not that exciting? Ok, every denomination seems to have extremists, so it’s possible.
Putting Da Vinci Code superstitions aside, it is observed as the period of time Jesus spent in the desert not only fasting, but contemplating, praying, and meeting temptations along the way. What else is there to do with a vast expanse of sand?! Easter, as is celebrated in the Christian tradition, is the day Jesus is said to have resurrected after being crucified three days before. During Lent, Catholics traditionally take that time to “give something up” or make a positive commitment (i.e. I’m going to volunteer every Sunday at the soup kitchen or help my elder Aunt Mary grocery shop). Whether religious or not, it’s a wonderful way to create a good habit or make a sacrifice in a relatively short period of time… and stick with it.
However, ever wonder why it’s tradition to receive a basket of goodies on Easter? You guessed it, Lent is over! It’s time to celebrate (the arrival of Easter) and indulge in all of the treats you abstained from during the season of Lent. Maybe you’ve put two-and-two together and have now realized that Fat Tuesday is also the day before Ash Wednesday; the time to live it up (hello, Mardi Gras?) because you have to “give it all up” the next day for 40 odd days on end.
I love each season of the year and as nutty as it sounds, I actually look forward to the challenge of Lent. I think it is wonderful to take a period of time to reflect, pray, meditate, ask what you can sacrifice or what you can commit to. With around 40 days, it is achievable and not indefinite. As mentioned, I was raised Catholic and remember the days giving up ice cream (as my sacrifice) only to have soft-serve yogurt in its place. I was taught early on to get creative with my limitations, so I wasn’t completely deprived. Another interesting custom is to forgo meat on Holy Days and on Fridays during Lent. With this in mind, I created a vegetarian recipe here to kick start the season.
I love all seasons of the year and find each inspiring and celebratory in their own right. Even ones of depravity, fasting, prayer, meditation, and looking inward! It’s my way of observing the time; taking in the moments we have on earth and most importantly honoring age-old traditions and rituals… which I think is vitally important and sadly diminishing in today’s society.
During this time of Lent, maybe there is something you can commit to until Easter arrives. You do not have to be Catholic, religious or spiritual. Consider challenging yourself to work out more, spend quality time with your children, keep a gratitude journal, or helping at your local community center. It can be easy and simple, just as long as it’s positive. Even if it is a minor sacrifice, a small kind act will do wonders. Or to try something positive and new (for you, for someone else, or for society). No matter your religious upbringing, we can all take time out to reflect on how to better serve ourselves and those around us. It is the most rewarding gift we can give to ourselves and others.
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