What will you give up this Lenten Season?

Lenten season is fast approaching, but do we really understand what Lent is all about?

According to Pope Benedict XVI “Lent stimulates us to let the Word of God penetrate our life and in this way to know the fundamental truth: who we are, where we come from, where we must go, [and] what path we must take in life…”

But some of us see Lent as a ‘season for fasting’ or abstaining from certain foods or physical pleasures for forty days. Some of us give up smoking, eating chocolates or going to malls or clubs, texting, internet, watching TV and anything there is to give up. But if you ask them why they are doing this, they are not really sure why. Some may answer, because it is part of the Christian tradition or some may feel they are obligated to do so.

Often times, we forgot what is really the meaning and the reason behind the Lenten season. But is it more meaningful if we know why we are celebrating the season?

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lenten Season which lasts for forty days. According to Fr. William Saunders, Lent is a special time of prayer, penance, sacrifice and good works in preparation of the celebration of Easter. Thus, this is the season of purification or of cleansing of our soul from sins, of strengthening our faith and of turning our lives to Christ to follow His way of life.

In Lent, we commemorate the life, death and the resurrection of our savior, Jesus Christ. And in accordance with it, we participate in fasting or abstinence for forty days in remembrance of the forty days and forty nights of Jesus in the dessert.

That is why there is something deeper in giving up something this Lenten season. It is not just all about tradition or obligation, it is a sacrifice; it is a little way of expressing our gratitude to our savior whose love never fails us.

Thus, we give up something this Lent through fasting or abstinence to remember what Jesus gave up—His life. So when you give something up no matter how big or small or simple it may seem, make sure, it comes from the heart.

What then will you give up this Lenten season?