Lent is not depressing...its lifts us up

A friend of mine made a comment the other day that he hates Lent because it is so depressing. I asked why he thought that. He replied that we have to give up things we like, we can't have meat on Fridays (which he claimed was a bogus sacrifice for vegetarians) and the whole focus is on how we are wretched sinners deserving death. "Wow," I thought. "If that is what I thought Lent was, not only would I be depressed but I would also have to question the reason I am Catholic at all."

The truth, however, is that Lent is nothing like that unless a person wants it to be. In fact, for me, Lent is not depressing by any means. In my opinion, Lent is a glorious and awesome liturgical season. We give up something (or do something special) to initiate a change in our lifestyle. I am limiting myself to 2 hours a day on my computer (the withdrawl symptoms are much better) and it has opened up a completely new element to my life. I am finding that I have more time to pray, relax, read, write snail mail letters and converse with friends that I didn't have before. Far from depressing me, it has energized me and given me the unique opportunity to enjoy things that I didn't know I missed until I was able to experience them again.

Giving up something or doing something special for Lent doesn't take away from our life, rather it allows us to experience our life in a more wholesome and unique way. It opens us up to the realization that change can be freeing and not restricting. Giving up something or doing something special helps us better understand the excitement we can feel when we change ourselves to draw closer to God. Until next time...God bless.

posted by: crossman at 12:54 | link | comments (1) |
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Comments:

#1  30 March 2007 - 17:13

 

Hi Chris,

I know well the "withdrawal symptoms" from computer use. At this very moment, I am failing on my Lenten sacrifice. I, too, gave up (or at least tried to) excessive web browsing and blog reading. Yet here I am.

Lent has been a powerful, meaningful season... anything but depressing.

-Jason

Anonymous

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