Pray, Fast, Give

Most Christians perceive the Lenten season as a chance to stay away from a food that we often consume or to fast between meals. The core and original intention of lent, however, is to place us in the position of our savior, Jesus Christ. He was in the dessert for forty days without sustenance. On various occasions, he was tempted by the devil. He gave his life on the cross to pay the cost for our sins. The goal of these forty days leading up to Christ's resurrection is to challenge ourselves. To abandon or commit oneself to something different than the usual.

Lent is also a time for sacrifice. During this season, we have the opportunity to sacrifice something that is meaningful to us. These Lenten promises were meaningless and barely even a sacrifice. Now I have learned that I should give up things that are part of my everyday life. Maybe some of us should give up screen time on our phones, or time watching tv.  Maybe getting along better with your parents or a sibling. We should challenge ourselves by making sacrifices like Jesus did for us, even though our small sacrifices could never amount to God’s ultimate sacrifice. Sometimes we need to realize the things that we don’t want to do, make us feel happier, better about ourselves, and bring us closer to God. 

As we strive to become closer to God throughout this season, we must remember why we are there. We are preparing for Christ's last passion and death on the cross.  This is a sacrifice that will never be surpassed. As we begin this Lenten season, we recall Jesus' teachings to his followers on almsgiving, prayer, and fasting. We utilize his teachings to make our own sacrifices and honor him, just as he taught to his disciples. 

REFERENCES:

https://www.leafletonline.com/news/2019/03/catholic-lent-101/

https://www.istockphoto.com/search/2/image?mediatype=illustration&phrase=lent

https://www.behance.net/gallery/16179435/Reflection-for-the-Lenten-Season