What have you given up for Lent?
Has anyone asked you this year: “What have you given up for Lent?” As a sign of sacrifice and self-discipline, Christians often will “fast” (abstain) from something during the season of Lent. We do so partly to imitate Jesus when he went into the desert to pray and fast for 40 days. We read the story of Jesus going into the desert and being tempted by Satan on the first Sunday of Lent. Inspired by the example of Jesus, some Christians therefore, fast for the 40 days of Lent. As you know, season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday (better known to some as the day after Mardi Gras), and lasts 40 days (not counting Sundays, which are always feast days). Fasting during Lent is not required of Episcopalians, though many do observe the season by fasting (giving something up for Lent). Strictly speaking there are only two “fasts” on the Episcopal church calendar: Ash Wednesday, and Good Friday. But, for our Roman Catholic brothers and sisters in Christ, a...