So Lent begins.  I have overheard the usual pre-Lenten discussions, “What are you giving up for Lent?”  The answers are usually familiar.  Most often we hear chocolate, cursing, desserts or some other extravagance or bad habit.  A child told me video games.  Someone else said he was giving up Lent for Lent.  I’m not sure how that is going to work.

Giving something up, especially something that isn’t really helpful to our health in body, mind or spirit; this is a good discipline.  We have lost touch with the value of fasting.  We think it’s dieting.  There’s a difference.  Sacrifice for a purpose is different from shedding a few pounds because summer is coming. 

Fasting is about experiencing something of the hunger our Blessed Lord faced during his temptations.  Fasting is about reflecting on the fact that in our country we waste enough food to feed the starving in other parts of the world.  I saw a commercial that seemed to make fun of the fact that we throw out half of the food we buy.  That isn’t really funny.  So we fast, and we make sacrifices, and we focus during our Lenten spring on our own growth.

One way we can add meaning to this journey is to consider how we in our abundance can help those in need.  Our religious education students during this season work at supporting the mission of the Holy Childhood Association.  This organization supports the efforts of missionaries around the world who work to share the faith and help people help themselves around the world.  Many of our religious education programs will take some time to look at the work they are supporting rather than just filling up mite boxes.  Families are also encouraged to participate in Operation Rice Bowl in support of Catholic Relief Services which provides immediate assistance in the face of disasters. 

These two wonderful organizations complement each other very well.  They both have educational materials available to inform us of the Church’s efforts throughout the world.

Lent is also a time when the Church gathers with those preparing for the Sacraments of Initiation through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, commonly known as the RCIA.  Part of Lenten growth for all of us should be catechesis.  There may be Lenten programs offered in your parish.  You might want to do some spiritual reading.  You might want to give up a few minutes of music when driving and listen to Catholic radio. 

Finally part of Lent is about spending time in prayer.  Many people try to attend Mass more frequently during Lent.  It is also a wonderful time to prepare for a good Confession.  While I know not very many people like going to Confession, I also know that everyone feels good coming from Confession.  Maybe there is Eucharistic adoration in your parish where you could give God the gift of your time.

That really brings us to the heart of Lent.  It is a time to give.  Traditionally this was called prayer, fasting and almsgiving.  Each of these is a “giving” discipline.  So maybe the better question is not “What are you giving up for Lent?” but rather, “What are you giving for Lent?”

Father Freer is the diocese’s vicar for Catholic education.