Giving up for Lent

Have you given anything up for Lent?

There seems to persist a folk memory, even among people who have little knowledge of or interest in Christianity, that Lent is a time to give things up. Perhaps Lent has been overtaken by ‘dry January’ or even ‘Veganuary’, or by ‘detoxing’ and other ways that people have found to make themselves renounce pleasures and feel healthy and virtuous by doing so.

Virtue and asceticism

But ‘giving things up for Lent’ is only about health in the sense that our faith teaches us things that are ultimately good for our wellbeing. As Christians we do not give up alcohol or sweet things or some other indulgent pleasure simply so that we might feel healthier or lose weight, or even because we secretly enjoy the feeling of virtue that asceticism can bring. Instead, we do it as a symbol of our penitence, our being sorry for our part in the wrongs of the world. And as a sign that Christians know and respect the serious and more solemn side of life.

The pleasures of Eastertide

When we refrain from some pleasures for a time it makes the joy of taking them up again all the stronger. We have daily at our fingertips luxuries and pleasures unimaginable to most people throughout history, including immediate access to sweet and rich foods which used to be very occasional treats, at best (this is one reason for the obesity epidemic!). So doing without some of them for a while is even more counter-cultural for us than for our ancestors. But it makes Easter all the more joyful!

Taking something up

If you’re not the sort of person who gives things up, or even if you are, how about taking something up for Lent instead? Perhaps a daily time of prayer or spiritual reading (the Archbishop of Canterbury always recommends a ‘Lent book’ each year). Or some form of regular service to your community. Or collecting a food item each day or week to donate to a food bank. Let me know if you come up with any particularly creative ideas!

Rebecca Lloyd

5 March 2017