Yes, I realize that whether or not you participate in Lent is an intensely personal and private choice. It's not something you are to trumpet to the world. I get it.
But, I've been a bit confused of late about Lent.
When I was a kid (waaaaayyy back in the dark ages when dinosaurs roamed the earth - this is what Man-Child seems to think anyway....) Lent was the whole time. Every single day. Whatever you gave up (or added to your routine) that was the way it was to go - the whole season; even if it ended up being more than 40 days.
Now? From what I am hearing everywhere (including church) - Sunday's don't count.
I kinda understand the reasoning. Every Sunday is supposed to be a celebration; not a fast.
But really? It's kinda counter-productive don't you think?
You give up chocolate and can have it on Sunday? Okay, you are still abstaining the remainder of the time - it's still a sacrifice technically - but you can gorge on Sunday?
But what if you give up something else?
Say.....buying shoes? So following this "new" way (although according to everything I've read; it's not new - then how come I never heard of it growing up?) you could then buy the shoes on Sunday. And then proceed to enjoy them every day - even if you don't wear them except on Sundays (you could still go into the closet and
So tell me, am I the only one who has never heard of this Not On Sunday thing? Or has this been common knowledge for years and I am the one who has been living under a rock?
I don't practice Lent. I'm not willing to give up anything for 40 days. ;) Also, it's not something in my religion, Melissa-ism. My motto is "Help Others". :)
ReplyDeleteCrap, forgot to subscribe to follow-up comments.. memory is going with my old age.
ReplyDeleteI can't speak for lent, but the dark ages was when the stores weren't even open on Sunday and the sidewalks rolled up at dark.
ReplyDeleteMrs. L - apparently, along the new rules lines, it isn't just about giving stuff up anymore - you can also "add" things - service to others, more prayer, etc. to your routine. So, your "help others" would fall into that line! ;-)
ReplyDeleteMs. A - I remember those days (kinda)....ahhh, the "blue" laws How could we (as a society) get by these days without having that "extra" day to get things done?
I'm not a great believer in orgainised religions, of any sort. But I was brought up, as a practising christian, from birth till 11 or 12 yrs of age, when I was allowed to decide for myself, and I have NEVER heard of sundays not counting! What?! I now only go to church for weddings, christenings and funerals. I'm not catholic, I'm Church of England (thanks to old King Henry 8th & his 6 wives, one of which he invented the Church of England for, so he could then divorce her, to enable him to remarry the next one) I think it was? Divorced, beheaded, died. Divorced, beheaded, survived.
ReplyDeleteALL 40 days+ of lent should count, if you believe. I've never heard of that before.....
I don't know anybody who still knows and practices Lent.
ReplyDeleteThe whole idea is to reject temptations, to be in control of our appetites.
Neat Uh? Self control!
Brighton Mum - I'm pretty sure Henry VIII created the Church of England so he could get an annulment/divorce from his first wife, Catherine to marry Anne Boleyn. He couldn't under the Catholic Church and then the Pope at the time totally got ticked off and excommunicated him from the Roman Catholic Church.
ReplyDeleteMrs. Lovely...thank you, I remembered it was to do with divorcing his wife, but had forgotten that the pope excommunicated him from the catholic church, hence the church of england. I do always rememeber that little rhyme though. Us bloggers do history too! Hi Gigi!!
ReplyDeleteI am of no help as I'm not Catholic. My only knowledge of Lent is feeling very sorry for friends having to give up sweets for 40 days!
ReplyDeleteI am not a practicing Catholic but I think it is everyday even Sundays.
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