Sweet Sacrifice?

The season of Lent has begun. We are into a forty day stretch before Easter. Since I grew up Evangelical, Lent wasn't officially observed in our family. But I remember how university classmates of mine would attend Ash Wednesday Mass. They'd come back with a charcoal mark on their foreheads as a symbol of the sacrifices they vowed to make over the next month or so. Give up chocolate. Forgo coffee. No more television. The list went on. It also commemorated a special season when one would focus on repentance, prayer, and the giving of alms.

I have observed Lent in the past. Admittedly, I didn't spend extra time on repentance, prayer, and the giving of alms than my usual spiritual practices. Nonetheless, I engaged in self-denial by fasting from coffee and chocolate, two indulgences of mine. This year I choose to give up everything in the dessert category (with the exception of my children's birthday cake, because you gotta celebrate!). I call it the "sweet sacrifice" to prepare my heart for the holiness of Good Friday and the joy of Easter Sunday.

In the past, I've been tempted to judge people for what they gave up for Lent. Certain sacrifices seemed trivial. How can you compare the offering of chocolate or coffee to Christ's death on a cross?

You can't. And you know what? NOTHING can! No matter how grand the sacrifice may seem, NOTHING can compare to what Christ did on the behalf of the human race. And I believe that is one of the purposes of observing Lent, to meditate on Christ's work on the cross in order to deepen our commitment to Him. As difficult as it may be for me to deny myself delectable desserts when the opportunity arises, it PALES in comparison with Christ denying His right to choose His own will instead of the Will of the Father. I hope and pray my insignificant sweet sacrifice will draw me closer to Christ.

However, in addition to giving up dessert (including chocolate, oh blessed chocolate!), I've decided to refocus my prayer life. Every since my son was born, my prayer life morphed into desperate cries for wisdom, patience, and strength and snatches of intercession for family and friends. Life seemed too crazy to focus on anything other than tending to the needs of my children and husband (and mine, somewhere in there). And while life has not slowed down, it seems more manageable. Thus, I feel the need to get back to the way it was, almost a year ago. I still don't have much time, but I desire to use whatever precious moments I have to pray specifically for people instead of the general "be with so-in-so".

I am honored to join millions of people as they observe Lent around the world. And I look forward to savoring some fine chocolate on Easter Sunday!

In conclusion, I provide a quote about Lent from A Catholic Life.

When we speak of Lent, we speak of preparation so that the life in us can be recovered -- or much more -- so that the life in us can be welcomed. The life of Christ risen, his Spirit which is given to us at Easter, needs to find hospitality in us. This is the meaning of the silence and the prayers that is recommended by the Church in this time. This is the meaning of fasting, which is closely related to prayer and silence. That our eyes may not be closed, that our senses may not be dulled.

This is the meaning of the alms that are asked of us. That our life may not be built on what is secondary and fleeting, but that it may find in Jesus the only richness that does not end, the richness that gives light and weight to every tiny thing. In this way, in our hands, instead of the sad object that will be destroyed, everything becomes an icon of the beauty of the Savior.

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