Why give things up for Lent? Why not give back instead?

Question

Rather than give up swearing or sweets for 40 days, wouldn't it make more sense to give a bit of yourself during this time? Imagine what you could accomplish if you spent 40 days...

volunteering in a homeless shelter
picking up litter off the highway
reading to the elderly and infirm
teaching an illiterate to read
counseling a troubled child
babysitting for an overworked single mom

You get the picture. I know about alms, I know that some of you are actually doing things to help others. Thing is, all anyone seems to be talking about is what you are giving up, not what you can do for others. If you gave of yourself for 40 days, just imagine the difference you could make.

Just thought I'd throw this out there.

Please, save the thrashing, I'm in pain today. This is a sincere question, I'm hoping for a sincere answer.

Answer 1

i gave up and I am giving back, i gave up eating meat, and i am volunteering at an animal shelter

Answer 2

I don't think you'll get an argument from any competent theologian or pastor. The whole idea of "giving up" is to make you aware of what you take for granted. In missing it, you become aware of your desire, as well as of the people who never have it. But that's just the start of the process.

It's not a time for going on a diet and exercise program, remodelling your house, or starting some other self-improvement project. The idea is to get OUT of yourself. What you should be giving is yourself, your ego, your plans, your desires, not some peripheral bad habit. Change scares people because it takes away the familiar and comfortable. But those who make the effort are usually surprised at what they can do. Volunteering is an excellent way to break out of the familiar. It's service and self-education all at once.

In the reading for Ash Wednesday, the prophet Joel says; "Rend your hearts, not your garments." The regret, repentance and reform should be internal, and permanent. A 40-day campaign provides the possibility for some genuine conversion to take root. But the fruit will be external. If people don't see a permanent change, the "sacrifice" is wasted. Of course, time and effort are some of the hardest things to give up. But God doesn't want my candy bars. Candy bars will not help realize the Kingdom of Heaven (although less television watching might).

Answer 3

Actually, when I was a Catholic, I was told that I could DO something instead of giving up something. My mom would sometimes volunteer her time instead of giving things up. As I was a child, I didn't really have the luxury of saying "I'll drive out to a soup kitchen and pass out free lunch for Lent". I usually gave up food or TV shows. I really would've liked to DO instead of GIVE UP, though.

Answer 4

that is a good idea and those are things we should do all the time not just at lent. the reason they give something up is becausethey are trying to show their sinserity to God. to give up somthing they care about or do not live with out well is a true sacrifice to them. and if they endure with the whole time of lent they sucsess fully prooved that God is more important to them than the cherished thing they gave up. i hope this helps God bless.

I am sorry you are hurting i hope you feel better soon!

Answer 5

Your suggestions are certainly noble. We are not bound to give something up for Lent. Most people give something up for Lent so that they can be reminded to pray instead of doing whatever they gave up for the season. However, it is not against the spirit of the season to add something that you do not normally do. A good example of this would be to read the Bible more, pray more, give more in church, etc.

Therefore, your ideas are not against the idea of Lent. Christ Himself said that when we take care of the least of our brothers or sisters in His name, we take care of Him as well.

I wish you the best in your endeavors and I hope you feel better soon!

Answer 6

It IS important to give things back during Lent. Hence the concept of Almsgiving and such. Though people give things up as sacrifice. Some people do it to free up time or whatever to try to deepen their relationship with God, and other people do it for other reasons. but you're right: people need to both give things up and give things back during Lent.

Answer 7

That was always what I preached at the beginning of Lent. Before I became a heathen. But it's still a good idea.

Hope you feel better.

Answer 8

I think you definitely get the point.

The Catholic Church and many other Christians Churches follow the Biblical practice of Jesus Christ and the Jews in setting aside days where the entire Church fasts and prays as one in a attitude of constant renewal.

By the solemn forty days of Lent the Church unites herself each year to the mystery of Jesus in the desert and in spiritual preparation for the celebration of His Passion, Death, and Resurrection.

This season of penance is an intense moments of the Church's penitential practice and are particularly appropriate for spiritual exercises, penitential liturgies, pilgrimages as signs of penance, voluntary self-denial such as fasting and almsgiving, and charitable and missionary works.

With love in Christ.

Answer 9

Doing any of the things you have mentioned would, in fact, be giving up something for Lent. It would be giving up time, money, or other plans. Therefore, doing any of the above would be truly good things to "give up" for Lent.

Answer 10

i'll be giving up quickly nutrition and soda pop. what's some thing u love yet can stay with out it in case you had too? lol ceremony giving up college i might snigger at you too. in case you have a facebook or like youtube some thing like that and in simple terms use internet whilst needed for college.

Answer 11

That is actually an accepted and very common form of Lenten sacrifice. Thank you for your sincerity. Peace be with you.