Lent 2016

many Catholics do not take their faith seriously and do not know about fasting

you do not have to do anything, you are not Catholic
if you choose to fast as well in some way, for your own spiritual good, that is totally up to you, but I would encourage fasting in general

it is a season of penitence
of remembering what Christ did to save us from our sins
I am fasting on every Friday of lent, I am also giving up sodas and coffee for all of lent, I will be praying more and the money I save from not getting coffee will be given to a charity (I am thinking for the homeless, or maybe for medical stuff in the third world, not decided yet)

Lutherans and Anglicans take lent as seriously as Catholics. Like Rhamiel said, many do not take the faith seriously, but those that do, it isn't limited to just Catholics. You don't have to do anything. It is a period of remembering what Christ did for us. The basic is to forgo meat on Friday. After that, it's up to the individual, whatever the Spirit is leading you towards. For me it is fasting from alcohol and doing a complete fast on Wednesdays and going to Lenten Divine Services on Wednesdays on top of my normal Saturday and Sunday routine.

I'm not taking Lent since I cannot put my faith in God the Father atm.

However I am curious, what would be a proper fast? It's been so long I can't even remember what I did for lent as a teen.

FlaviusAetius said:

I'm not taking Lent since I cannot put my faith in God the Father atm.

However I am curious, what would be a proper fast? It's been so long I can't even remember what I did for lent as a teen.

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Can't really blame you. I've been skipping communion because I know I'm a po'd drunk over my health problems. I know I'm just going to take it and then go get drunk and yell at God.

Sif said:

Hello Everyone,

I know that Lent begins on Wednesday Feb. 10th (Ash Wednesday).

Please forgive my ignorance but what is Lent for you as Catholic Christians? Are any for you doing anything specific for Lent this year? As a non-Christian is there anything you wish we (as non-Christians) would do/not do around you during Lent?

I did ask a Catholic co-worker when she is fasting so I can NOT have food around and cause her any un-necessary distractions or distress. (I do try to be as polite as I can)

Thank you.

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thanks for your consideration!
Lent for us is a time of both rememberance of Christ's passion and His sacrifice for us,
and a time of both personal grief and reflection on how we are living up to His examples.

Some of us are giving up various foods or meals, others are saying more prayers, or reading more religious books, and still others are doing more volunteer work
with those less fortunate than ourselves.
some are collecting clothing for the homeless, while others are working in shelters or soup kitchens to feed and house
those who have little or nothing.

It is a time of minimizing ourselves and our needs and wants, and being more aware of the needs of others.
All the above goes against what the world tells us to do, so it is not easy to persevere in this over the weeks of Lent.
but it is possible.

as you can imagine in these days, daring to live openly the life of a Christian and what we believe (even if it's done quietly) puts more stress upon us.
so offering encouragement on the one hand, while at the same time seeking to deflect the resulting mockery of others is very greatly appreciated.

Sif said:

Hello Everyone,

I know that Lent begins on Wednesday Feb. 10th (Ash Wednesday).

Please forgive my ignorance but what is Lent for you as Catholic Christians? Are any for you doing anything specific for Lent this year? As a non-Christian is there anything you wish we (as non-Christians) would do/not do around you during Lent?

I did ask a Catholic co-worker when she is fasting so I can NOT have food around and cause her any un-necessary distractions or distress. (I do try to be as polite as I can)

Thank you.

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That's very considerate of you

Just don't wave a steak around me on Fridays and I'm happy.