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Should We Call This the Lent of 2020?

I hope all of you are safe and staying warm and healthy. Lent already? Some days (in fact, most days) I feel like 2020 was the year of giving up something — no weddings, birthdays, hospital visits, school, funerals, and, for the most part, one’s job — hoping it will get better each month, will I have a job, will my family be okay, or am I even going to be able to see my family. I struggled with this a lot during 2020, and parts of me still are. It has taken a part of me that will take some time to heal.

Are you struggling with why or what to give up for Lent this year? I Googled it, to see what to give up for Lent in 2021. There were a lot of different websites and many suggestions of different things to give up, and some sites even had articles about parishioners not feeling they should give up anything, that they've sacrificed enough.

The Lenten season is not about reflecting on life’s challenges, the struggles, or losing loved ones. The purpose of the Lenten season is to set aside time for reflection on Jesus Christ — to consider His suffering and His sacrifice. Lent is a season to be reminded of our need for penitence and to prepare spiritually for the celebration of Easter and a time of growing closer to God.

As I continue to struggle with the concept of fasting this year or what to give up, noticing it has helped. The things to take away from Lent are to make time for prayer and connecting with God more; this is something that can be done during a fasting day. Now, what to give up during the next 40 days? Does it mean giving up the food you love? Whatever you choose to do during Lent is your choice; just be mindful of those choices.

Rob Garza
Salem Custodian and Digital Print Consultant at MEDiAHEAD

Tags: Weekly Word