What’s the deal with fasting during Lent?
Lent is a season of reflection, repentance, and reconciliation that occurs in the 40 days (excluding Sundays) leading up to Easter. Symbolically meant to bring Christians into solidarity with Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness, it was originally a time for “catechesis,” a period of instruction given to newcomers to the faith who wanted to join the church.
After rigorous study, they would be baptized at the Easter Vigil (a service that occurs the during the night or early morning hours before Easter) and receive their first communion, thereby becoming full members of the church.
One of the oldest traditions of Lent is fasting, though the specifics of the fast can vary. In Catholic churches, it is traditional to fast from meat on Fridays, which is why you’ll often seen churches advertising fish dinners on that day (fish not being considered “meat” according to older definitions).
The most recognized form of fasting is “giving something up.” It can be a favorite soda, social media, makeup, unkind words, or alcohol, or any number of options. The idea is that you choose something to “give up,” or abstain from, for the period of Lent in order to disrupt business as usual and draw your attention to God.
If the thing you’re giving up costs money, you might donate the money you would have spent to a charity.
If the thing you’re giving up costs time, you might use that time in acts of service.
What I’m Giving Up for Lent
In the past, I have given up checking my app notifications, makeup, meat (including fish), cutting my hair, alcohol – and, one year, I gave up giving anything up.
I have never actually enjoyed giving something up. Everyone asked me if I was sick during my no-makeup year, I freaked out about my hair all season last year, and the meat thing convinced me to temporarily become a vegan, at which point I developed vitamin deficiencies.
This year, though, I’m ready to try something I have never done before. I think I’m gonna give up social media.
Here’s my one caveat: Sundays aren’t included in the numbering of Lent because each Sunday is “The Lord’s Day,” celebrated in remembrance of the resurrection. Which means that each Sunday is a little Easter. This means that I can, if I desire, check social media on Sundays.
I find that giving little places for easing up on the fast helps me stay with it, and makes it feel more purposeful. In this “attention economy,” I hope that by giving up social media, I can re-focus and get some mental and emotional clarity that helps me hear the Spirit of God and respond with more energy and joy to the people around me.
The thing about the Lenten fast is that it doesn’t last forever. I can go back to my old habits and it won’t be some great tragedy. But if the fast shapes me and convinces me to change my priorities, I can take this learning into Easter and beyond.
Are you giving anything up for Lent?
