Ok, I realize most of you know what Lent is but some of you might not. I realize I need to put in a Lent 101 post.
Now, Lent is officially, the forty days before Easter and it starts on Ash Wednesday. It's supposed to symbolize the forty days that Jesus spent fasting in the desert. Lent is supposed to be a month free of major celebrations; weddings are strongly discouraged. (Didn't stop my parents, or a couple of other people I know who had a Catholic wedding during Lent). It's supposed to be a time for prayer and reflection. And the big thing is that you're supposed to give up stuff.
Ever hear of Mardi Gras? Its the last big celebration before Lent starts. Churches even used to do a Midnight Mass after the parties on Mardi Gras where people still wore costumes to church. Given some of the costumes I've seen on TV that people wear (or don't wear) in New Orleans, thank goodness this tradition is on the decline.
Now, why do we give up stuff? It's a sacrifice. This is why we don't eat meat on Fridays during Lent. You're sacrificing to sympathize with those less fortunate who might not have meat. A question I get a lot is "If you're supposed to give something up, why are you adding a workout." The answer is simple. I'm still sacrificing! I'm sacrificing my time, my routine, and a little dignity. But is this to glorify God, or myself?
If it didn't benefit me in some way, I probably wouldn't be doing it. Most catholics when they give up soda or fast food are doing it in some form because they need to lose weight or because it is a vice they need to overcome. Well, not working out is a vice I need to overcome. Better health would in many ways make me a better person.
My intention with this blog was never to be overly religious, and this is probably going to be the most Catholic post in this entire journey. I believe that my body is a gift to me from God and I believe that there is no better glory to Him than to take care of all of my body and all the other gifts that He has given me.
Please feel free to comment with what Lent means to you. Again, this is probably going to be my most religious post in this blog.
Now, Lent is officially, the forty days before Easter and it starts on Ash Wednesday. It's supposed to symbolize the forty days that Jesus spent fasting in the desert. Lent is supposed to be a month free of major celebrations; weddings are strongly discouraged. (Didn't stop my parents, or a couple of other people I know who had a Catholic wedding during Lent). It's supposed to be a time for prayer and reflection. And the big thing is that you're supposed to give up stuff.
Ever hear of Mardi Gras? Its the last big celebration before Lent starts. Churches even used to do a Midnight Mass after the parties on Mardi Gras where people still wore costumes to church. Given some of the costumes I've seen on TV that people wear (or don't wear) in New Orleans, thank goodness this tradition is on the decline.
Now, why do we give up stuff? It's a sacrifice. This is why we don't eat meat on Fridays during Lent. You're sacrificing to sympathize with those less fortunate who might not have meat. A question I get a lot is "If you're supposed to give something up, why are you adding a workout." The answer is simple. I'm still sacrificing! I'm sacrificing my time, my routine, and a little dignity. But is this to glorify God, or myself?
If it didn't benefit me in some way, I probably wouldn't be doing it. Most catholics when they give up soda or fast food are doing it in some form because they need to lose weight or because it is a vice they need to overcome. Well, not working out is a vice I need to overcome. Better health would in many ways make me a better person.
My intention with this blog was never to be overly religious, and this is probably going to be the most Catholic post in this entire journey. I believe that my body is a gift to me from God and I believe that there is no better glory to Him than to take care of all of my body and all the other gifts that He has given me.
Please feel free to comment with what Lent means to you. Again, this is probably going to be my most religious post in this blog.
