What are you giving up for Lent? Is it food-oriented? We discussed some of the implications of giving up something food related for Lent yesterday. Today, we follow up on that theme.
I have had people tell me they are giving up sweets for Lent. Someone mentioned giving up desserts. Someone else mentioned junk food. Someone else I know is going “raw” for Lent eating only raw food that has not been cooked. There is a whole raw food movement. If this is new to you, you many want to look it up online. It is quite interesting.
I have known people who have given up smoking for Lent. Or drinking. Others have taken on an exercise regime for the season. One year, someone at church gave up TV for Lent.
I have never heard of someone giving up vegetables for Lent. Or fruit. Or water. Or exercise. When we give up something for Lent, it is usually something that will make us more healthy. It is doing something that is good for us.
The season of Lent is a time to focus on our spiritual lives, to grow in our faith and our relationship to God and the human community near and far. We undertake a Lenten discipline toward this end. If we give up a food, it is not because we want to diet or lose weight, but because we want to deepen our spiritual awareness. Attending to our spiritual life promotes our well-being and our highest good. As we become renewed and refreshed and re-centered we can better serve the common good. The point of Lent is to grow in the grace and love that we see in the life and death of Jesus for the good of the world.
So while we are giving up candy or beer or meat for Lent, we are reminded that we are giving something up ultimately for a greater good. So, what else could we be giving up for the greater good? Racism? Sexism? Ethnocentrism? Consumerism? (Anyone giving up non-necessity shopping for Lent?) Dependence on violence? Arrogance? Privilege? Exclusivism? What do you think we need to give up that will ultimately benefit the common good?
Prayer: In this season of Lent, may we pay attention. May we notice the implications of what we think and do. May we look for deeper meanings. The death of Jesus was ultimately to serve a greater good. May our spiritual growth this season enable us to make sacrifices which serve the common good. Amen.
Lakewood United Church of Christ 