Lent: More Than Just “Giving Up”
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Today marks the official start of Lent, and thousands have already begun fasting in preparation for Easter.
Some see Lent as a season of sacrifice, but it’s much more than that.
With each dab of ash and every smear of the cross, another Catholic reflects on their faith.
Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent.
“Jesus said, ‘From ashes to ashes, from dust to dust,’ and we start it off with Ash Wednesday and we give up something we like,” explained Sandra Bragan, who attended the noon mass at our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in Homewood.
“I’m giving up sweets, giving up a couple other things—some TV watching that I would normally do,” said Marc Ayers, who also attended the Ash Wednesday mass.
“I haven’t figured out what I’m going to give up quite yet, but I’m going to try to go to mass more, tithe more, just be more,” said Matthew Gubenski, who juggles two jobs and an internship, but still managed to make it to mass.
On Ash Wednesday, Christians are reminded of their own mortality. Ashes like these are placed on their forehead as a sign of repentance.
And for the next 40 days or so until Easter, it’s a time to fast, pray, and ask forgiveness for their sins.
“It means giving up and praising the lord. It means to me, praising him for what he did for us, dying for our sins,” added Bragan.
While many do choose to give up their vices, devout Catholics believe it’s much more than just sacrifice.
“It’s really a beautiful time. People think of Lent a lot of times, as far as things they give up and that sort of thing, but it’s really a time to cut away things that are unnecessary and try to think of others,” said Ayers.
During Lent, many Catholics will forego eating meat on Fridays. It’s a tradition that’s gone on for hundreds of years.
Lent: More Than Just “Giving Up”
