It is crazy to think that it is almost time for Lent to start. Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday already! What has happened to this year! Anyway, I want to share my Lenten Sacrifices, the things I am going to give up during Lent to grow closer to Christ. Some people may be going, “Why give anything up? That sounds ridiculous.” Well, I give up something so that I can deny myself and grow deeper in my love for Christ. Here is what EWTN says on the topic:
By denying ourselves something we enjoy, we discipline our wills so that we are not slaves to our pleasures. … By disciplining the will to refuse pleasures when they are not sinful, a habit is developed which allows the will to refuse pleasures when they are sinful. There are few better ways to keep one’s priorities straight than by periodically denying ourselves things of lesser priority to show us that they are not necessary and focus our attention on what is necessary.
Add More Spiritual Reading
I am intending to read Divine Mercy in My Soul: The Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska during Lent. It is a rather long diary so, if I intend to read the entire thing during Lent, I will need to read at least 16 pages a day. That may not sound like a lot, but this is spiritual reading. That generally takes quite a bit longer than just novel reading. I will often reread the passage at least twice and journal about it as well. This will be quite an undertaking for me.
Limit Soda and Candy
I don’t need candy or soda at all. They are simple things that I can deny myself during Lent. I plan to remove all candy from my diet and limit soda to only two a week instead of two a day. This is a rather traditional Lenten sacrifice as I remember doing this most of my childhood.
Add More Prayer Time
I haven’t quite decided on what shape this will take yet. I am leaning towards adding a daily Divine Mercy Chaplet since this year is also the Jubilee Year of Mercy.
This is what I am planning on sacrificing this Lent. If you are giving anything up, feel free to comment. If you have any questions I might be able to answer, feel free to comment with those as well. While you really don’t have to give up something for Lent, it is a practice that can help one to grow closer to Christ. Our Lord gave up so very much for us, can we not all give up something for Him?
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