Lent is often thought of as a period of time to give up something - sweets, chocolate, coffee, peanut butter or activities that we just love to do or take part in.  A time for sacrificing something dear to us the way Jesus was sacrificed for us.  To me, this makes the time seem selfish to some degree.  It also seems to be a passive act.  The time is focused on what "I" will be 'giving up'; in other words it is about us and only affects us.

 

I prefer to think of Lent as a more active, less selfish time.  I prefer to think of Lent as a time of 'what will I do for Jesus'.  What will I do during these 40 days that will allow me to live more like Jesus wants me to live?  What will I do that allows me to show love, forgiveness, compassion, and acceptance as Jesus did?   What will I do that will make life a little better for someone else as Jesus instructed us when he taught us about how to treat others.  Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice and somehow 'giving up' something just doesn't compare.

 

So, the question is - does giving up something for Jesus make this time more reverant?  Does doing something for Jesus make it more glorious?   I only know what works and means the most for me.  However, I do know that in our own way we each meet Lent head on as we move to the day of resurrection.  Giving up or doing?  Active or passive?  I prefer active and doing.

 

shalom,