The practice of Lent has been in existence from the earliest Christian times. The idea of a time set aside to reflect, renew and change in preparation for the celebration of Easter can be traced to the third generation of disciples and the length of 40 days can be traced to the 40 days that Jesus abstained in the desert before beginning his ministry.
As a cradle Catholic, I have had different views of the season of Lent. My Mother was a strict enforcer of lenten rules of abstaining and no eating between meals. This was not enforced on Sundays. That day was set aside for joyful celebration. Some how Mom kept the eating practices through the 40 days of Lent. More rules for the week before Easter. Abstaining from meat on Wednesdays and Fridays , we limited sugar and salty snacks creating a craving for the forbidden treats. Giving of part of our allowance to the weekly collection was encouraged. Wednesday night services and becoming alter servers or choir members was also strongly suggested.
I would visit my non-catholic friends to be offered a forbidden snack.
“Do I take the food and confess the transgression that Saturday?”
“Do I not confess and have sins pile up?”
“Do I just avoid my friends until after Lent?”
When I gave up a favorite television program and limited movies , I had nothing to fill in the time. For a kid, Lent lasted forever!
Good Friday was particularly difficult. Only one meal, music was allowed but no tv. We were encouraged to visit the two sets of grandparents to do simple chores or errands for them. Often, I was given a cookie.
“To eat the cookie or rack up more sins to confess?”
I took the cookie and tried to forget it before confession.
My husband, John, had some of the same thoughts. On Good Friday, he and his older brother Gene, were alone at home with both of his parents working. What could they do on Good Friday?
Hey, John, let’s play Crucifixion.”
“How do we play that?”
“You can be Jesus, I will be the soldier putting on the cross.”
John agreed and Gene found two pieces of wood to make a rough cross. Taking some clothesline, Gene tied his younger brother to the cross.
“Hey, I have to use the bathroom”. Gene went into the house, leaving John attached to the cross. The boy’s Dad came home to see his young son attached to a cross and his older son no where to be seen. He went to look for his older son. Gene had started to play after using to the bathroom.
Taking his son outside he lit a cigarette , inhaling before remarking:
“You better get the baby off the cross before your Mother gets home.”
For a long time I ignored Lent and the practices. I found the season lacked the special quality that I remembered.
This year, I have studied some of the traditions and beliefs behind the abstaining. I have found there are three reasons to keep lent a tripod of theology to base the practice.
First. To give up a action that can be harmful. This can be giving alcohol, sweets or places that cause temptations. I have given up watching the national news. It only makes me angry and powerless.
Second. I put a new task to take the place of the old habit. I have put time to call or write to relatives especially the elderly of my family and friends to keep of them and show they are still a part of my life.
Third, The idea of almsgiving can be expanded to giving one’s time, to a charity, a neighbor in need or helping a stranger by smiling and saying, “Good morning.” Giving to groups that make requests are also part of giving. I find it is too easy to give to a charity but to go through my clothing and donate items that I no longer use or volunteer at a local second store to help others is a way to build relationship with others.
So I will keep Lent day by day. I am sure that I will have days that I fail, but I am determine to pick myself up and continue to a blessed Easter.
*** poem
Lent
in my childhood, a four letter word
Lost in a cluster of rules many starting with “Do not”
Easy to slip, then back to the confessional
notice many of my friends have no restrictions
Time drags , I wait for the basket delivered on Easter morning.
carolaspot@aol.com 3/3/25 copyrighted
traveling up and down the blind highway 