Now, you are probably wondering how a person of such rigid standards can choose between giving something up and giving more. The answer is quite simple, but at the same time.... not so simple.
The explanation of what the Lenten Sacrifice during the Lenten season has changed over the years, but the meaning behind it remains true. The story of Lent, as I have been told, is the period of time where Jesus Christ, the only son of God, born from the womb of a virgin (Mary was her name), was publicly punished for teaching the faith and sharing the knowledge that there is truly only one God and not multiple ones. That miracles happen through believing in God, and his only son was the vessel of proof with examples of healing the sick and parting of seas. It took some serious showing to prove this, but the non-believers needed more than just words. They needed to see it in order to consider believing it. Well, Jesus was publicly punished and killed for his beliefs and teachings. Tortured really, and with that in mind.... Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice for the transgressions (sins) of man. The Lenten Sacrifice is based upon giving something up for the greater good in order to understand the sacrifices Jesus made for man, woman, and child.
While this explanation does not make all that much sense because of the miracles and mysteries that happened, but the connection between sacrifice and faith does. At least to me, but something was missing when I did the usual giving up of something I enjoyed for those 40 days and 40 nights. This sacrifice was lacking the fundamental teachings of the bible where it is for the greater good of all. That is where doing more comes to play.
What I mean by doing more is simply something more helpful. Regardless that it is on a much smaller scale and not all that Earth-shattering, but even small offerings of more do have the opportunity to snowball into something greater. I see it as something as a beginning of a pay it forward chain of kindness. As it has been stated in the bible (generally explained, that is), we, the children of God are to love one another and care for this planet that we live upon. In fact, if I recall this correctly, the basis of most religious faith is for love and peace with others. While I see this as something that can be done on a daily basis and not necessarily something only to be done during the Lenten Season, that sacrifice of making time to give a little more can be just as important as taking something away. This is something that crosses religious lines and is still somewhat something that connects them all. I guess it is in how people see it. At least, it is how I happen to see it.
Of course, there will always be argument over religion and its practices. I have heard some very compelling arguments about these practices being nothing more than man-made rules to follow. Heck, I remember just the demand of not eating meat on Ash Wednesday and on Fridays during Lent when I was a child, to learn that the rules changed to not eating at all on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday with no meat for the Fridays in between until Easter Sunday. Sure, there are exceptions when it came to age and health issues that required people to eat for their medications, and that even gives more validity to the man-made rule belief. Sure, I could just not give something up for the Lenten Season, or I could opt to give more, but where does that remind me that there was sacrifice during this time? Heck, I think my parents and the parents of parents can attest to the fact that having a child is a serious sacrifice with no time limits. I should know because I sacrifice every day something for DD, if not just my freedom to do whatever I want (when I want it), it is of money, time, food, and my heart. Of course, those sacrifices are given willingly and often because of unconditional love. Isn't that the same as the love God has given us? DD can clean her room or do the dishes without being asked and that offering of more is just as appreciated as having her sacrifice a little socializing time to do these things. It is all in how it can be perceived. And without the big showing of being challenged to the masses with a title of being a religious act. A good example of this is in the bible under Matthew 6:5 and it says this.....
5"When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 6"But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.…
While this can be seen in various angles and explained various ways.... it is the basis that faith is an individual thing and is not necessary to be thrown about in the faces of others to prove a point. I guess that is why I really do not shout from the mountaintops (if there were any where I live), what my intentions are for this time of sacrifice and reflection.
Now, if people were to argue by foundation of faith and religion and why I am a believer.... well, I can sum that up in something even easier.....
Faith is blind, but it is a choice. I do not need science to believe in my faith, nor do I feel it is necessary to use science to try to disprove my beliefs. I choose to believe in the mystery and the miracles. No need to change my mind as I have no interest in changing yours, but I will still love you just the same. Everyone believes in something and this is what I believe.....
Thanks for reading and have a great day!!!
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