While beneficial, it’s not mandatory

The Rev. Brian List, chaplain, St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center, 1631 Crescent Road:

For some, it’s chocolate or sweets. For others, it is their favorite beverage. Some consider anything they find themselves addicted to: the Internet (especially social networks like Facebook), texting, oversleeping or procrastinating. All are possible answers if we are asked, “So, what are you giving up for Lent?”

The 40-day “penitential” season of Lent, of turning away from sin and back to God, began on Ash Wednesday. It is traditional that we, who observe this time leading up to the celebration of Easter, try to sacrifice or deny ourselves something we enjoy. Why? We do it to discipline our wills so as not to be slaves to our pleasures, to “train ourselves” spiritually.

Each year, Lent offers us a providential opportunity to deepen the meaning and value of our Christian lives. But, is this custom mandatory?

No.

However, it is extremely beneficial. It is similar to working out and engaging in physical exercise to strengthen and discipline our bodies. An athlete would not expect to compete well if he never practiced. A soldier would not survive long in battle had he never been trained or fitted with armor and a weapon.

If we hope to see growth or progress in our spiritual lives, we must implement a spiritual exercise program to strengthen our faith. We need this training if we hope to achieve victory in the spiritual battle.

The liturgy of Ash Wednesday gives us guidelines for our 40-day journey. We pray for blessing upon our endeavors in the opening prayer at Mass: “Lord, protect us in our struggle against evil. As we begin the discipline of Lent, make this season holy by our self-denial.”

– E-mail the Brian List at brianlist@yahoo.com.

Only God determines sin and salvation

The Rev. Marshall Lackrone, pastor, Calvary Temple Assembly of God, 606 W. 29th St. Terrace:

Lent is that time of year just before Easter. In the Western part of the world, this is from Ash Wednesday until the morning of Holy Thursday. Then from the evening of Holy Thursday begins the Easter Triduum, which lasts from Holy Thursday to the evening prayer of Easter Day.

Traditionally, Lenten fasting and penance continue until the end of Holy Week, and the entire Holy Week is included in the 40-day Lenten fast.

The purpose of Lent is to be a season of self-denial, including fasting and penance with the goals of Christian growth, conversion and simplicity. These are all lofty goals for any Christian, but not all churches observe the Lenten season liturgically.

The main reason goes back to the day of the Protestant Reformation, Martin Luther and the separation of part of the church declaring its independence from the Catholic Church.

The beginning of the idea that it is a sin if a Christian does not give up something is not coming directly from the Bible. It was several years after the resurrection of Christ before any part of Christianity adopted the Lenten season.

Many evangelical churches do not participate in this liturgy because it is not commanded in Holy Scripture. From their point of view, the Bible is their guide for such things and not the creation of man and his ideas.

Even churches that do not formally celebrate Lent emphasize the same elements without making it a liturgical matter. So from their point of view, only God, through his word, can declare something a sin.

– E-mail Marshall Lackrone at lackrone@sunflower.com