I know this is about the time some people "celebrate" Lent... & that some people "sacrifice" things like chocolate or their morning latte for the duration of it. Truth be told, I'm not all that clear on the "why" behind it all - tho' I can't help but wonder if it wouldn't be more meaningful, to God, others, & some who "do" Lent - if they sacrificed something that somehow mattered & made a difference ...to someone else. I'm no theologian, but I sense (or perhaps common sense tells me?) that sacrificing time, energy, comfort, money, etc. in Jesus' name & in such a way that
- is more of a lifestyle/less something we "celebrate"/"observe"
- is more private (si-lent?)/less public
&
- makes a positive difference in the lives of others
....just seems more in line w/ how God intended for us to share in the sufferings (passion) of Christ. ........ ie. by showing some com-passion.
3 comments:
I agree. I can understand giving up something that might be "idolish" to you in order to focus on Christ, but how much better if that someone leads to the benefit/blessing of others?
In the Orthodox Church we do give up certain foods for Lent, but that is only a small part of the whole picture. Lent has always been a time of preparation for celebrating the resurrection By dying to ourselves in a small, physical way, we free up time and energy to pray more, to worship more, and to give more of ourselves (time, money, energy, etc.) to others. It is also intended to be a time of repentance and of humbling ourselves, of dying with Christ so that we can be raised with him. It is stressed to us that it's not only about "fasting" from food, but from our sins. It's a time of increased prayer and devotion. I have personally never experienced the joy of Easter as intensely as I have since becoming part of the eastern Orthodox church. Anyway, those are just a few thoughts from a different perspective.
I like your snowbird pictures!
Blessings,
Rebeca
Hi Rebeca! Thank you for sharing your meaning-full perspective Perhaps, "it all" depends on the individual's heart/motive/intent which, in your case, seems it would allow the benefits (humility, etc.) & the willingness to sacrifice/be a blessing by sharing one's time, energy, $, etc. - to transcend the time limit placed on Lent & so to be more of a consistent way of life.
Blessings back at ya! :)
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