What's the point of giving things up for lent?

Question

I don't get it.

Answer 1

Forget that nonsense lent, it is a ritual of Catholic Church. Lent is one way to deceive or mislead people, it is not a doctrine of Christ

Gal 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

Answer 2

Lent is a wonderful opportunity to become holier. By giving certain things up, we can change our lifestyle. The idea is not so that we go back to the way we were before Lent. In addition to giving things up, it's also a good idea to do more that bring us closer to God. For example, if someone doesn't read the Bible everyday, this is a good time to start and then to continue even after Lent is over.

As children, our parents give us little ideas of what we can give up such as chewing gum. But, as we are older, it's important to look at more significant things to give up to again to grow in holiness. It can even be time, for example, if someone doesn't volunteer, they can find a charity that they respect and start volunteering.

Thanks for asking!

Answer 3

Giving something up for Lent is a gesture of sacrifice to the Lord according to some faiths. I personally don't do it because I try to make everyday a day where I sacrifice my human side for God. No day is any more special than the next.

Answer 4

So you can pick it up again twice as hard when lent's over. You drink two cold ones a day before lent, you drink four a day after lent to make up for all the missed ones. When I think about it, lent is really a holiday for phonies who pretend to sacrifice for their god but go back to their vices after. So really, what good is giving it up if you're gonna get it right back anyway.

Answer 5

Lent is period of fasting and repentance traditionally observed by Catholics and some Protestant denominations in preparation for Easter. The length of the Lenten fast, was established in the 4th century as 40 days. During this time, participants eat sparingly, or simply give up a particular food or habit. Ash Wednesday and Lent began as a way for Catholics to remind themselves to repent of their sins in a similar manner to how people in the Old Testament repented in sackcloth, ashes, and fasting (Esther 4:1-3; Jeremiah 6:26; Daniel 9:3; Matthew 11:21).



However, over the centuries it has developed a much more "sacramental" value. Many Catholics understand giving something up for Lent as a way to gain blessing from God. The Bible does not teach that such acts have any merit with God (Isaiah 64:6). In fact, the New Testament teaches us that our acts of fasting and repentance should be done in a manner that does not attract attention to ourselves: “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you” (Matthew 6:16-18).



Fasting is a good thing when it is done with a Biblical perspective. It is good and pleasing to God when we give up sinful habits and practices. There is absolutely nothing wrong with setting aside a time where we focus on Jesus' death and resurrection. However, these "practices" are things we should be doing every day of the year, not just for 40 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter. If you feel led of the Lord to observe Lent, you are free to do so. Be sure to focus on the time as you repenting from your sins and consecrating yourself to God - not on trying to earn God's favor or increase His love for you!

Answer 6

"Older Catholics, who remember Lent in the 1930s, 40s or 50s—or perhaps even earlier—may first think of this season as a time of penance. Lent was when you gave up something—like food or going to the movies— in order to do penance for sin." http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/Lent/sundaysoundbite.asp?LectNum=WL

"The Season of Lent originated from the early days of the Church as a time to prepare for Easter. Lent used to be a period of forty hours spent fasting to remember Jesus's suffering and the forty hours He spent in the tomb. In the third century, Lent was made six days long, and in 800 AD it was made forty days." http://catholicism.about.com/cs/lent/a/lent.htm

"The season of Lent lasts forty days and occurs before Easter. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Easter. The forty days skip Sunday because Sunday signifies the Resurrection of Christ. To prepare for the coming of Jesus, the colors are purple and royal blue. In the Western church, Lent always begins the seventh Wednesday before Easter. However, in the Eastern Church, they don't skip Sundays and they begin on Clean Monday - the seventh Monday before Easter. During Lent, Catholics have several activities they can do to prepare for Easter. Catholics abstain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and each Friday during Lent. Catholics should also fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday."
http://catholicism.about.com/cs/lent/a/lent.htm

I don't agree with "Lent"; however, I think if you are giving up something for this period, it should be something more than your favorite food or drink. It should be more like giving up your "free time" to assist others. It should be along the line as working at a Homeless Shelter, assisting at a Nursing Home/Senior Home.

Mardi Gras is "Fat Tuesday" where any thing goes. Sin all you want the night before. What's the purpose of this day really? I would be ashamed if I was a "Catholic" and participated in Mardi Gras.

Answer 7

Lent is period of fasting and repentance traditionally observed by Catholics and some Protestant denominations in preparation for Easter. The length of the Lenten fast, was established in the 4th century as 40 days. During this time, participants eat sparingly, or simply give up a particular food or habit. Ash Wednesday and Lent began as a way for Catholics to remind themselves to repent of their sins in a similar manner to how people in the Old Testament repented in sackcloth, ashes, and fasting (Esther 4:1-3; Jeremiah 6:26; Daniel 9:3; Matthew 11:21).
However, over the centuries it has developed a much more "sacramental" value. Many Catholics understand giving something up for Lent as a way to gain blessing from God. The Bible does not teach that such acts have any merit with God (Isaiah 64:6). In fact, the New Testament teaches us that our acts of fasting and repentance should be done in a manner that does not attract attention to ourselves: “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you” (Matthew 6:16-18).
Fasting is a good thing when it is done with a Biblical perspective. It is good and pleasing to God when we give up sinful habits and practices. There is absolutely nothing wrong with setting aside a time where we focus on Jesus' death and resurrection. However, these "practices" are things we should be doing every day of the year, not just for 40 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter. If you feel led of the Lord to observe Lent, you are free to do so. Be sure to focus on the time as you repenting from your sins and consecrating yourself to God - not on trying to earn God's favor or increase His love for you!

I do not believe in Lent.
I believe Jesus did for me, not that I can do anything for Him. He is God.
Oh, little man, what is with your head that you think you can do for God?

Answer 8

they're romanticizing denial. they do no longer seem to be sturdy sufficient to interrupt loose from the cult so as that they include the suffering and make candy with it. The irony is, the Vatican is between between the main luxury places interior the finished worldwide! enable's see the Vatican include sacrifice the place it counts! it could be a chilly day in Hell. actually. Hypocrisy sucks.

Answer 9

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.

The English word "Lent" come from the Middle English word lenten and the Old English word lencten meaning the season of spring.

With love in Christ.

Answer 10

The idea is that you give up something that you crave. When your body craves that thing you gave up, you remember that man cannot live by bread alone and you bring God to the forefront of your mind. It helps you to focus your thoughts on God more often.