I thought you were Mormon. Do Mormons follow Lent?
I'm LDS but fairly heterodox, and I was raised Catholic, and I like to do religious things of various religions. The fact that it's not even required for my own faith just means it's more voluntary so I feel it even more, I think. God finds all of them good, as far as I can tell.
Still haven't thought of what I should do, though.
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I'm giving up meat. But not for lent, just because I feel it's the right thing to do. I've only slipped up once since making that decision, and that was because my mom didn't tell me there was sausage in the soup she made. >.<
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(But work just brings out the eye-rolling in me lately. Augh. Augh. I knew this would be hard.
I sometimes think other people are such a huge pain to deal with. Then I remember what a huge pain I am to deal with, and I go sit in my quiet corner. )
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I'm not Christian, and I wasn't raised a Christian either. I grew up in a secular household and am today a proud agnostic. None of that stops me from observing Lent, which I have done for many years now.
Like Lyrhawn, I am giving up soda and fast food. I gave up caffeine one year (which was very difficult--no tea), but that didn't stop me from drinking root beer or clear citrus sodas. This year I'm giving up soda, period, as well as fast food.
And to forestall any of the questions about why I would do this if I'm not Catholic, blah blah blah, let me just say that a good custom is a good custom, wherever it comes from. I don't know, from my own experience, whether there is a God, and I certainly can't claim to know if He cares one way or the other about whether I stop off at McDonalds for a Big Mac and a cola between now and Easter. For me, that isn't the point. Lent isn't about spirituality for me. It's about discipline and self-improvement. By giving up certain things that I love--or at least indulge in too much--for such a long period of time each year, I prove to myself that I still can go without such things. I have a fundamental weakness for some things which are bad for me, and Lent is as good a pretext as any to practice strength and try to make myself a more disciplined person. That, I believe, is a perfectly noble goal, regardless of side issues like upbringing or this or that particular theology.
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When does Lent start? I want to give up (no, not chocolate altogether, grah!) eating unhealthy food for a long time and also give up spending money in an irresponsible sort of way... I need to trainf or the future and what is coming, but i really must finish this darn cake first... why the heck did I even make a cake? I am a heathen, but Verily makes good points. I'd like to improve myself.
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I went to the park today and was taken aback by the smudge of dirt on one man's forehead before I remembered it's Ash Wednesday.
I had a good friend who was Catholic and answered a lot of my questions about Lent a few years ago (since I have never practiced it). I do have a question though. I understand that Lent is a period of 40 days before Easter in which to prepare for Easter, but that it's not really 40 days because you don't count the Sundays, as they are traditionally always Feast days. Does that mean if you're giving something up for Lent you can indulge in it on Sundays? I'm assuming not, but I don't really understand all the details.
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It's up to the individual. But yes you could indulge on Sundays and still be fully observing Lent. Fasting only on Fridays and/or Wednesdays is also a traditional observance. But, IMO, giving up something like chocolate only on Fridays would be kind of lame. Although, I suppose if you had a regular tradition of going out for chocolate cake on Fridays after work and gave that up it might be a significant discipline.
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Gah! I really need to get rid of that darn cake. I think I will give up being a slob. I really need to do that and have some ruddy discipline, but it seems like sooner or later I will miss being usch a happy little sloth... Soon I won't have that luxury anymore...
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I'm giving up soda. I've only finished Lent successfully twice (and I do allow myself reprieve on Sundays, depending on my sacrifice). One year, with a Muslim friend as an inspiration, I gave up solid foods during daylight hours. That was hard.
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I went to Catholic school from K-12, and what most of my friends and their families did was give themselves a reprieve from whatever they gave up on Sundays during Lent. I.e., if they gave up fast food, Sunday they would go to McDonalds.
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I am Byzantine Catholic myself which from what I have seen is simular to the Maronite like with Ash Monday starting Lent. I seem to be thinking it has something to do with Holy week(the week before easter) not being considerd part of Lent, but that would require a week earlyer start rather then two days, so I am proby atleast partly off on that. I can't remeber the reason exactly but I can talk to my mom to find out about that.
As for Sundays, Sundays are considerd a day of celebration so any type of fasting isn't requied to be observed but some people still choose to.
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I was just joking. I'm aware that the point of spiritual endeavors isn't to find the loophole that allows you to continue business as usual.
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Ok I talked to my mom and heres the reason it starts on Mon. In the eastern Catholic church(or at the least Maronite and Byzantine) Sundays are included in the 40 days, but are still taken as time off from fasting and the fast of lent ends on the friday before Lazurus(sp?) Saturday. Then on the following Monday a new fast for Holy week starts. So it basicly comes down to a few days differance in whats part of Lent.
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Picture of me, so that you can properly visualize me straining to control my eye muscles. I'm the one with the baby on my lap. Posts: 14017 | Registered: May 2000
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I'm Mormon and while I don't formally "give up" anything for Lent, I do observe it as a time of... solemn reflection, I guess you'd say. I try to focus on Christ and how I can be more Christlike and strengthen my observance of my religion, instead of doing "fun" things that kind of detract (like watching movies that may not be the most wholesome, etc.) I find that every year I have a need to do this again, so obviously it doesn't carry over to the whole year, so it's definitely something to work on.
I have Armenian Catholic friends who "fast" for Lent (meaning, for them, no meat, no butter, no cheese, no chocolate, no sweets, no soda, no "rich" foods, no "treats" whatsoever. Small amounts of fish and vegetarian dishes, predominantly.)
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I could try that. Is there a rule about gradually quitting?
What I would like to do is not add to the beligerence of the world and be polite and respect people and be compassionate. But I want to do that every single day.
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I went to church this morning, too, for the first time in a long time that I just went to go (not because family was in town, or because i was visiting family or something like that) and I enjoyed it, too!!
One thing that got me was that there was a reading about how when you pray, don't be like the hypocrites and do it on the street corner etc - do it privately. I was thinking to myself, well, isn't this black on my forehead announcing it?? I guess, since it's supposed to be just a reminder that we're 'ash to ash' it works out - but I'm still not clear on how it's not announcing that I prayed today...
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quote:Originally posted by Will B: Specific Time-related ("once a day" or "before Thursday") Measurable Limited
Too bad that doesn't make an acronym.
You caught my creative attention. It's not there yet -- best I can do is DIMS (Durational, Impeded, Measurable, Specific), but that is unsatisfactory for many reasons.
Ha! Every time I am tempted to , I'll meditate on the problem.
Successfully averted eyeroll tally: 12 (I am disgusting) Unsuccessful sinning eyeroll tally: 1 + 1 eye-widening (but no roll!)
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quote:Originally posted by cmc: One thing that got me was that there was a reading about how when you pray, don't be like the hypocrites and do it on the street corner etc - do it privately. I was thinking to myself, well, isn't this black on my forehead announcing it?? I guess, since it's supposed to be just a reminder that we're 'ash to ash' it works out - but I'm still not clear on how it's not announcing that I prayed today...
The black on the forehead is supposed to show we're proud to be repenting and taking part in lenten services. I don't think it's the same as calling attention to yourself for being religious, as much as to set an example for others or to encourage others to do the same.
It seems as though we got the same gospel. I found it particularly interesting, considering what I have been doing in exploring other religions and my decision to come back to the church because of it's 'low-key-ed-ness'. My uncomfortable-ness with other more boisterous, loud religions. It kinda fit in with my decision for going back to the church and re-emphasized the conclusion I came to myself. It was almost as if it was aimed at me. Crazy, eh?
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Just on my way back from church and RCIA meeting.
Stihl, the "ashes as advertising" occurred to me too during thr gospel.
I love our parishes "theme" for this year. "What's in the Way?" All about how to discover the obstacles that keep us from being our true selves and doing God's will. I think that is a good way to think about what to change during Lent and about making Lent a springboard for more permanent change.
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kmboots, that's excellent. It will be my new meditation, now that Lyrhawn has solved the acronym.
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You know, I don't think the ashes violated Jesus's saying about not letting the left hand know what the right hand's doing, etc.: he was talking about being vain about how religious you are, getting people to admire you, etc. But I doubt most of us see the ash mark as a badge of pride, or expect people to admire us for it! (And it's kind of hard to do the Great Commission while *concealing* your religion!)
Posts: 1877 | Registered: Apr 2005
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I figured out what I'm doing for Lent. I work on the 6th floor, which is 6 floors above ground level, in my building, and I've started taking the stairs every workday at least once all the way up from the ground floor, and once all the way down. It's 20 steps per floor, so 120 steps each way. When I get over being sore, I will go ahead and do it twice a day at least. It's a good thing for me right now, since I'm terribly out of shape. If I get to the point that I can do it easily, then I will start running up. Posts: 6246 | Registered: Aug 2004
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I have decided that "what's in the way" for me - metaphorically, spiritually, and quite literally - is the amount of stuff, junk, trash, in my apartment. I am terrible at throwing things away. Because, someday, I might need fifteen cardboard boxes or fifteen dozen plastic grocery bags. Or clothes and jewelry that I haven't even looked at in ten years. Box of old watches anyone?
So I'm cleaning and getting stuff out. Anyone know of a Chicago area charity that picks up? Some of this stuff (not the grocery bags) is still in good shape.
Posts: 11187 | Registered: Sep 2005
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Not a lot going on except for car donations, at least online. Here is a list of 174 "thrift" stores (but I see many consignment shops, too) that you could research individually. Not much fun to slog through, though. I'll keep looking.
---
Ah, this is much better. The Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County has compiled a list of where to take clothing and miscellaneous donations, and some specify pickups.
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There are stores around here that accept plastic bags for recycling, you could check your local stores or recycle centers. But they also make excellent shipping packaging...
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This year I am sticking with my traditional giving up snacking between meals. In addition to that, I am doing extra volunteer work in our health care facility. I need to do something that will help me to see Christ in others so I picked something that will force me to work consistently with people. So far it has been wonderful.
Today, I attended a beautiful talk on the season of Lent that has really inspired to make this season one, not just of repentance and self-denial, but also a time to really focus on opening myself up to God's love. I want to clear out all of the junk in my life so that I can allow more room for God to enter. I am really excited about the season of Lent and the coming of Easter!
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I too am excited and enjoying the season. I couldn't have picked a better time to get back into the church. I'm seeing the church and the religion in such a new light and understanding things I never did before about catholicism. I especially appreciated the talk today the father gave about renewal during lent as well as repentence.
It's good to be able to share this experience, and to see others experiencing the same enjoyment of the season. It is very encouraging.
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quote: One thing that got me was that there was a reading about how when you pray, don't be like the hypocrites and do it on the street corner etc - do it privately. I was thinking to myself, well, isn't this black on my forehead announcing it?? I guess, since it's supposed to be just a reminder that we're 'ash to ash' it works out - but I'm still not clear on how it's not announcing that I prayed today...
Thats why in most Easten Catholic churchs(except Meronite) they use oil instead of ashes, beacuse that way it keeps it more private.
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