The term was not used disrespectfully. I was using it in the sense of pertaining to the customs and traditions of the group.
And I have heard the “sacrifice” example before. While I understand where it comes from, my response has always been something along the lines of why don’t you sacrifice your time and do something constructive that helps others, like volunteer in a homeless shelter, etc…something you don’t do on a regular basis now?
Why are others standards of sacrifice more applicable than mine?
On the one hand, we have someone who says (for example), “I’m gonna give up booze for Lent.” On the other hand, we have someone who says (for example), “I’m gonna go work in a homeless shelter for Lent.”
Yes, the first guy is “sacrificing”. But his sacrifice is limited; he’s going to stop doing something that is harmful to his body for a limited period of time, then he’s going to start doing it again. The second guy is sacrificing his time, and even if it’s only for a limited period, what he does will help others and have much more of a wide-spread effect. I’m just wondering why more people don’t choose to do things like the second guy, rather than do things like the first guy.
Let’s save the debate for what Lent is and whether or not it’s meaningless for Great Debates.
End the hijack in here and let’s get back on topic. everyone.
Our parish is doing the rice bowl for Lent — I think it’s a great idea but I don’t think it’s doable for my family this year. Has anyone done it before; if so, what did you think of the experience?
Peanut butter. It’s one of my all-time favorite foods, and I just eat way too much of it – PB sandwiches, crackers, etc. Sometimes it’s just too easy to make a peanut butter sandwich for dinner than something actually nutricious. So far so good.
I’m trying to give up buying take-out food or eating in a restaurant, which means being more mindful of planning ahead and meeting but not exceeding my needs. I’ve been reading about Dorothy Day and a quote in the intro (not necessarily attributed to her) was “Everything you have you stole from the poor”. So I am trying harder to evaluate whether I really need something, and to be grateful for what I have.