Thursday, February 18, 2010

Lenten Sacrifice

Yesterday was the official start of the Lenten season. As Catholics, we are asked to observe some sacrifices during this season. I've been doing this for years. Typically it means abstaining from eating meat on all Fridays of lent, fasting on holy days (Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Black Saturday), Bisita Iglesia (visiting 7 churches during the holy week), and praying the stations of the cross during these visits. But this year, I want to do something more. Something a little bit more personal.

My mom always told us that a sacrifice means giving up something you really like. Otherwise, it wouldn't be much of a sacrifice to abstain from doing that something. But more than just giving up something for the sake of giving it up, it is also doing it with the intention of understanding what Christ has done for us as well as being aware of our limitations as humans. It's a tall order.

My sacrifice this year is to give up eating two things I really like. Rice and Pasta - in all shapes and forms. For those that know me well, you know how hard this is for me! Although it may be a little self-serving since I could stand to lose some weight and giving up carbs would really help. It does not take away from the fact that giving up my favorite things to eat for 40 days will be tough! Of course it's not a sacrifice that can change the world. But it is my little way of sharing in the spirit of Lent.

I've publicly committed to this sacrifice by posting it on my Facebook page and now on my blog. Making such an announcement is by no means a cry for attention but more an attempt to make my resolve just a little bit stronger =)

4 comments:

Auntie Lillian said...

Hi Joanne, I think I will join you in your sacrifice starting Monday ( haha ). I bought fresh chinese noodles the other day so will have to cook and eat it. I also need to lose some weight so hopefully having less carbo will help.

leslie ty said...

Hi jo! my sacrifice for this lenten season is no meat on fridays....it's such a big deal for me becuase i loooove eating BEEF...today i forgot to inform our cook to make sure my lunch is no meat... =( i almost broke my sacrifice...i was so tempted to eat my baon (since it was my favorite chicken dish)...after a few minutes of reflection...i decided to buy filet-o-fish in Mcdo...with fries and sundae...hehehe...=)

Junarakasa said...

Hi Auntie Lillian, great, it'll be nice to have someone on the same "diet" that I am on - that way we can commiserate together =)

Hey Les, yes, I know that must be hard for you ... so I can totally sympathize. But am sure you can do it! =)

joyeee said...

hey dets, thats a good sacrifice...i wish i can do it too but with all the parties here and there, its so hard... maybe thats why its called a sacrifice after all!:) I should definitely try! maybe for me, its just no rice for 2 months!:)