Lent why give things up

In prayer, we can hope to grow in this time of conversion and be blessed with the realization that through Christ— NOT the fulfillment of the flesh—all things are possible.

I just have to say that giving up something like sugar for 40 days is really HARD. I know it might seem laughable to some. But for those of us who are emotional eaters, focusing on our need to come to the cross when we are hurting, as opposed to the box of Oreos, can be pretty significant in our walk of faith. Lent also serves as a wonderful opportunity to set an example for your children, who may or may not be giving something up themselves.

Many people make a Lenten promise to add something to their lives during this season. This can be done in conjunction with or in place of giving something up — and is another great way to worship as a family during the season. The practice of fasting for religious purposes isn't just a Christian one. Yom Kippur, the day of Atonement and seasons with dietary restrictions e.

Even people who aren't religious may observe a Lenten practice, seeing it as a time of reflection or a way to "reset" their lives, removing something unhelpful from them. For people who have been observing Lent for a while, it can become somewhat rote.

Coxe, and many other religious experts, suggest a three-pronged approach to making it more meaningful. Those prongs are prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Christy Kennedy, a medical sales professional from Cincinnati, Ohio says she's giving up Facebook for the Lenten period, not because avoiding the social media platform is such a sacrifice, but so she can devote the time in other ways.

Coxe adds that increased attendance at weekday mass can also be helpful for prayer time. Kate Adams, a high school math teacher in Athens, Georgia, also hopes to renew her family's commitment to prayer during the upcoming Lent. Fasting is observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday by Catholics from age 18 to 59 , and is defined as a reduction in the amount of food one normally eats.

The Catholic Church lays this out as one meal per day, with two much smaller meals those two put together shouldn't be larger than the main meal. People within the age range who don't have to fast include those who are sick, pregnant or nursing, manual workers who need the calories for their health and even people who are guests at a meal who can't fast without insulting their host.

Some people may elect to fast on additional days throughout the season. In addition to fasting, the Catholic Church requires people age 14 and older to abstain from eating meat on Fridays during Lent.

Fish, shellfish, amphibian and reptile meat are OK, not that you'd necessarily find roasted snake on a dinner menu anywhere!

Almsgiving is the giving away of superfluous goods, particularly to help the needy, according to Rev. Every day, people tackle a different area of the house and fill a bag with unwanted times, with the intent of simplifying their lives. It intentionally coincides with Lent and at then end of the period, the items are donated, helping others in need. Millions of people do this during Lent as a sign of sacrifice and to test their self-discipline. Christians believe that this is to represent Jesus Christ's sacrifice when he went into the desert to pray and fast for the 40 days before later dying on the cross.

In the Bible's New Testament, while Jesus was there, Satan tempted him to turn away from God and worship him instead, but Jesus refused to, which is why people might give something up, in order to test their own self-discipline too. Lent ends with Holy Week, which leads to Easter Sunday - the most important day in the Christian calendar. This day marks the resurrection of Jesus after his death on the cross, and is a celebration of his life.

Why do we have Easter eggs? How to make Easter chocolate egg nests. Should MPs be allowed to do another job? And thirdly, it helps us to focus on God. By giving up earthly goods, it helps to remind us that we are living for something more. It helps to keep us from becoming so attached to things of this world that we forget about God. Tagged as: Best of Week , charity , Fasting , Lent. JP Nunez has been a theology nerd since high school.

He has master's degrees in both theology and philosophy with a concentration in bioethics from Franciscan University of Steubenville, and he spent three years in Catholic University of America's doctoral program in biblical studies before realizing that academia isn't where he wants to be. During his time in Steubenville, he worked for two years as an intern at the St.

Paul Center for Biblical Theology, where his responsibilities included answering theological questions and helping to format and edit their Journey Through Scripture Bible studies. How the Saints Endured Loneliness. Poor Wayfaring Strangers.

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