Forty Days and Forty Nights
by Catherine Fata
The season of Lent, often misunderstood by Catholics and non-Catholics alike, connotes righteousness in suffering. We read about Jesus fasting for forty days and forty nights, about Saints giving up all their worldly belongings, and children not eating chocolate.
So, where does that leave me? By my own admission, I have been handed every advantage one could imagine. God has blessed me with not only food and shelter, but also an education, a great family who loves me, and close relationships with my amazing friends. I gave up shopping for Lent, and admittedly, that hasn’t been easy.
Is it right for me to have all these things? I don't think God wants us to suffer. I look at the season of Lent as a time for sacrifice, not suffering. To me, a sacrifice is a choice that I make, not an unfortunate happening that the world has thrust upon me. When I choose not to eat meat on Fridays, I am consciously making a decision for no other reason than to remind myself of, and consequently honor, God.
Some people (as I have said, both Catholics and non-Catholics) believe that we are obligated to let ourselves go hungry on Fridays during Lent. Admittedly, my first diet was motivated by the season of Lent, but looking back, was solely serving my own purposes. I cannot even call that a sacrifice because it had nothing to do with God and everything to do with me.
I know a lot of people who choose to supplement their spiritual lives rather than sacrifice specifics during Lent. For example, praying more, attending Mass or other services, and volunteering are choices to give time to God and to others. They are still sacrifices, in that sense, but something good can come from enhancing one’s spiritual life.
This Lent, I’m not going to give up coffee because it stains your teeth, or do community service to pad my résumé. This Lent, I’m going to pray, reflect, and improve my relationship with God. And if that requires giving up a worldly pleasure that separates me from Him, so be it.
