Every religion and faith tradition I can think of calls for some degree of self denial and sacrifice. In the midst of the current global economic crisis, even secular ethicists are dismissing the “greed is good” philosophy by calling for—you guessed it—self denial and sacrifice. I’m always a little taken aback when I read that Lent is a Roman Catholic observance because it was always central to my Methodist preparation for Easter. Regardless, conscientious self denial and sacrifice is inherent to the Judeo-Christian understanding of how to better relate to, to better experience, God.
The tradition has, however, been trivialized and perverted by such meaningless observances as Mardi Gras. “Fat Tuesday” becomes the last chance for hedonistic indulgence before giving up such mundane things as cigarettes, chocolate, and possibly even sex (I will give some serious thought to how I came up with those three examples). Obviously, a great many people indulge with gusto even when they have no intent of giving up anything afterwards, presumably just for the sake of the good time.
Much as I don’t make New Year’s resolutions anymore because it is such an empty practice, I’m tempted to purvey pseudointellectualism by pooh-poohing the idea of giving up something for Lent. But the resumption of my theological quest leads me to think that I will be the one to suffer from such neglect. While giving up some of the things I’ve mentioned represents an underdeveloped theology, it is incumbent upon me to develop practical experiences that are commensurate with a more mature theology.
Therefore, for Lent I am giving up those things that interfere with my relationship to, and experience of, God. I am thankful for this forum which will afford me the opportunity to more fully explore what an impossibly ridiculous thing I have just committed to.
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