The very first thought that Lent brings to mind is giving something up. In my childhood, the standard was to give up lollies and the like. The reward for this fastidious denial of one’s passions was the promise of mountains of chocolate Easter eggs!
A few years ago a friend of mine told me that he had urged his children to try to give up something a bit more than lollies. One of his sons decides that he will give up arguing and fighting with his brothers and sisters. About halfway through Lent he asked the children how they were doing with their Lenten promise. The boy replied, "I'm doing pretty good, Dad—but boy, I can't wait until Easter!”
Sometimes we miss the point. We receive the Ashes on Ash Wednesday (well in my parish, on Thursday! but that’s another yarn!) and we are admonished: “Turn away from sin and remain faithful to the Gospel” Turning away from sin is a choice of a lifetime. A Lenten sacrifice only lasts 40 days. What are you going to give up?
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