The first part of the year seems to always come down to some kind of sacrifice. First we have our New Year’s resolutions, which never include “spend more time on the internet, watch more television, and eat a lot of chocolate.” I spend the better part of January trying to keep to those resolutions. Of course, many of those fall to the wayside by February 1st. February is spent mostly regretting all the junk I didn’t get done.
I forgot! I have another chance! I can give up all the same things AGAIN for Lent. Now I’m starting to think to myself “why do I bother making resolutions when Lent is coming in a month? I can make my same sacrifices and have them count TWICE!” This leaves me in a quandry, though.
If I had resolved to give up chocolate at New Year’s, I’d have blown it about 3 days after New Years. That means my resolution is no longer in play. I can give up chocolate for Lent now, right? If I do that, does it count as a new sacrifice for my faith, or is it simply a cop out for my own convenience?
Then, of course, if I was unable to do it for New Years, what would make me think I could do it for Lent. Ergo, if I choose it as a Lenten sacrifice aren’t I doomed for failure? If so, is my eternal soul to be damned for the failure? If I successfully make the sacrifice, have I actually made a sacrifice for my faith, or have I simply done what should have been done at the outset?
Can a sacrifice not be a sacrifice, even if you’ve given something up?
February 25th, 2009 at 6:37 am
Oh, but Vinny, your sacrifice has a higher purpose now. It’s a way of drawing closer to God, and your inability to do it on your own is an indication that this is a perfect fast for Lent. You’ll need to rely on God for help (and that’s where another lenten discipline, prayer, comes in.)
I just read that over and realized it sounds preachy. I’m in my own quandary, because I’m worried about performing righteous deeds for others to see! So I’m not going to elaborate, but I will share that I, too, will be heavily relying on prayer to help me with my fasting, because it’s really, really hard for me.
Wishing you a holy lent, friend.