The season of Lent is upon us!
I was raised Catholic. Sometimes I like to poke fun at the religion and say that I am a “Recovering Catholic”. In some sense I will always identify myself as a Catholic. However, as I’ve grown into adulthood, and explored my beliefs more closely, I have morphed into more of a non-denominational Christian. But, there are some catholic traditions I will never give up. One of them is Lent.
For those of you who do not know, Lent begins 46 days before Easter, and is the time between Ash Wednesday (marks the beginning of Lent) and Holy Thursday (celebration of the last supper, the day before Jesus was crucified). When you take out the six Sundays (as Sundays are a day of rest), you are left with 40 days, which is a very auspicious amount of time to reflect in prayer according to scripture. Catholics (as well as some other Christian denominations) use it as a time of prayer, penance, and reflection. In order to enter into this time of penitence, everyone chooses a luxury to give up. Over the years, I have come to view it a little differently than the traditional Roman Catholic view of punishment for sins. Instead, the biggest sacrifice that God ever gave, was to have his Son die on the cross in order to forgive us of our sins. I view this time as a celebration of that sacrifice, for which I would like to show my appreciation by sacrificing something of myself. Therefore, my celebration of Lent is an act to try and better myself by either giving something up, or can include adding something to my life. So, what did I decide to do for this Lent season?
1) I will not yell.
I know that some of you do not see me as a yeller, but I am one, through and through. In times of stress, my first instinct is to snap and yell. For some reason I save this very special side of myself solely for my kids and husband. It is horrible. I hate it. It turns me in to a person I don’t want to be. Where does it come from? I’m not sure. Maybe from childhood home (there was a lot of yelling, not because it was an unhappy home – quite the contrary – it just was often the mode of communication). Regardless, it is my go-to emotion that I am not proud of. My kids bear the brunt of it. Therefore, as of last Wednesday, I am not going to yell for 46 days (hopefully longer). It’s been almost a week, and I am proud to say I have not yelled yet (even though I have been tempted). As for snapping, I am still working on it, but one thing at a time.
2) Read the entire New Testament
As much as I went to Catholic high school, have been involved in youth groups and bible studies throughout my life, and even read the Bible for my own education, I do not think I have read the entirety of the New Testament (although I am sure I am close), and definitely have never read it all continuously. My Bible reading is usually staged around certain lessons or reading plans, and not usually just reading from beginning to end. Therefore, I am taking the next 40 days (as I am following a 40-day reading plan) to read the entire New Testament from start to finish. So far, so good. I’ve kept up each day for the past five days. After Easter I will explore tackling the Old Testament.
What are you doing to celebrate Lent?
I like the honesty behind the fact that you only yell around family… I can totally relate! For some reason I can “switch” from happy go lucky Luke to angry beyond reason, but really only round close family. I think it has to do with the fact that there is “unconditional” love in my family and I take it for granted. I’m not going to do this for lent, but I will try to do this for 46 days just because this is something I want to do! Thanks for the post.
Inspired by the unleavened bread the Israelites took out of Eygpt, I am not eating yeast. I have definitely forgotten up a few times and taken a few “special occasion” days, but the Lent is something I like to do. Keeps me mindful. I have enjoyed your blogs thus far, Jenni!