Lame or Not?
Every year, it's the same discussion, do we continue to abstain and practice our Lenten sacrifice on the Sundays of Lent. Is this an East Coast thing? When I converted to Catholicism nearly 15 years ago we lived in the Southwest and I never heard of Sundays not really being a part of Lent. Eight years ago we moved to the DC area, and many of our family friends let us in on this little custom. The belief is Sundays are little observances of the Resurrection and Catholics are not supposed to make penitential sacrifices on Sundays, they are supposed to celebrate, therefore, Sundays during Lent are not part of Lent (Lent is 40 days long, but if you do the math, from Ash Wednesday to Palm Sunday is 46 days, remove the Sundays and you have 40 days of Lent).
I have always thought this idea was completely lame. I mean, if you're going to make a sacrifice during Lent, MAKE A SACRIFICE! Is it really that difficult? Anyhow, this year we made a compromise, we left the decision to observe Sundays of Lent with sacrificial penance a personal choice, rather than a family devotion. Some of us are continuing to give up our desserts, etc., on Sundays, others are not. I guess some of us are just holier than others and have greater will power--hopefully ya'll know I'm just kidding :-)
What do you think, is this tradition silly? What does your family do on Sundays during Lent?
Comments
Personally, I don't think it makes that much difference. It's all optional, anyway. I do think that if you decide not to give something up for Lent, you should decide whether or not you're giving it up on Sundays ahead of time.
Thanks for your thoughts :-) I agree, this decision should be made before Ash Wednesday and not later, say when the first Sunday of Lent rolls around :/
I do think it is a bit of an East Coast thing, as I've seen discussions about this on other message boards from Philly, New York, and Boston.
I have many thoughts on this issue (most of them would be offensive to your Catholic readers...you would get the humor but others might just want to burn me at the stake and call me an Apostate). My feeling is God is less concerned with length or lack of length of time as He is with the intent of our heart. If I am going to observe Lent then prior to Lent starting I set my heart on what I think God wants me to sacrifice in observance to what He sacriced for us. Taking "Sundays off" comes down to the intent of the individual. If they are doing it because they see that Sundays should be observed as a day of celebration then great. But if they are doing it as a "loop-hole" then my question is "Why observe Lent in the first place?" In my situation my sacrifice in observance to Lent has been NOT cleaning around the house. This has helped me enjoy my experience this year and I have never felt closer to God! (Sorry I couldn't be completely serious...I have fans who depend on me!)
Love Ya Mau!
YourBro
"Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast" (Mark 2:19)
If Sundays are like having the bridegroom with us then it would be better to rejoice, right? If breaking our lenten fast on Sundays could somehow be done in a thankful and celebratory way then that could be good.
And what's up with Walt being serious at all? I was a little concerned. Glad he threw in the silly stuff at the end. Otherwise you might have thought he was sick or something. :-)
We're hoping to find out Monday where the AF is assigning us next. We're hoping to stay here, but this whole thing is not in our hands!
And a big shout our to Walt (the whole family are all big fans!).....I would encourage him to start writing his own blog but I follow too many blogs ;-)
;-)
First a shout out to all of my peeps and second...I have considered starting my own blog but can't come up with a name...anyone have any suggestions?
Love Ya Mau
YourBro!
I also think there is a huge dfference between permitting yourself cream in your coffee on Sundays vs. having a hot fudge sundae with nuts and whipped cream. "Easing up" doesn't have to mean completely forgetting that it is Lent, KWIM?