What are you giving up for Lent?
Eric Ferris |
March 24, 2017
What are you giving up for Lent?
Have you ever had someone ask you that question? Abstinence (giving up something good) and fasting (normally food) is a big part of Lent.
Many people who observe Lent do two things. First, they give up something they take pleasure in for the entire season of Lent. Second, they fast certain foods or certain meals on certain days during Lent.
Reducing Lent to just “giving something up” as an act of willpower misses the point. Fasting is a very helpful spiritual discipline. It is definitely included in The Lent Experience, but it’s part of the larger whole.
What’s up with only eating fish on Fridays?
It’s partly related to the answer of the previous question. Not eating meat (which fish is not considered) on certain days during Lent is a very “Catholic” thing.
What days a person is supposed to abstain from meat during Lent has changed throughout the years.