When I was a kid, my parents would always ask us what we were giving up for Lent. Inevitably, we’d begrudgingly agree to give up ice cream or desserts. It was a simple reminder that Lent was a different kind of season — one of sacrifice and reflection. But Lent should be about more than just giving something up for the sake of it. It’s about aligning our journey with Jesus.
Here are three areas we can be intentional about this Lent:
1. Health
It makes me cringe when someone says they are giving up sweets for Lent because they want to lose weight. That misses the point. Lent isn’t about focusing on ourselves — it’s about focusing on Jesus. If we choose to make a healthy sacrifice, we should offer it up to the Lord. Every time we crave what we’ve given up, let it be a moment of prayerful reflection on Jesus’ journey to the cross. In the past, I’ve given up coffee for Lent, and each craving became a reminder to start my day focused on the Lord.
2. Prayer
This year, as in years past, I’ve given up listening to music in the car. It may not sound like much, but every time I do it, I wish I would stick with it beyond Lent. Jesus made time to pray, seeking peace and quiet. We need to do the same. Whether it’s quiet time in the car or intentional prayer in the morning, midday, or evening, we need to make space for the Lord. Busyness and noise are tools of the deceiver; quiet and stillness are the way of the Lord.
3. Almsgiving
Recently, I met with a group of men focused on growing closer to God. Many of them expressed frustration with how often their priests talk about money. I have the opposite experience. As someone responsible for stewarding the gifts of our community, I wish priests would talk about money, tithing, and giving more often. We all have a relationship with money — often an unhealthy one. Sacrificial giving is the surest way to keep that relationship balanced. One of my mentors in stewardship used to say, “Don’t give until it hurts; give until it feels good.” Lent is a great time to test this principle. Choose a charity close to your heart and make a donation that brings you joy.
Let’s continue this Lenten journey together. Through our unified sacrifices, may we prepare our hearts for Easter.
