A question about Lent.

[Minty]

I know that not all Christians view Lent in the same way, but for those of you that are sacrificing something for it, what do you do if you break your Lenten promise? What do you do if you slip and accidentily swear if you've given it up, or eat a food that you said you wouldn't?

I'm just curious as to what happens or what you do to (for want of a better word) atone for the mistake.

 

[ebia]

I know that not all Christians view Lent in the same way, but for those of you that are sacrificing something for it, what do you do if you break your Lenten promise? What do you do if you slip and accidentily swear if you've given it up, or eat a food that you said you wouldn't?

I'm just curious as to what happens or what you do to (for want of a better word) atone for the mistake.

Say a quiet prayer, and try to carry on. If it were easy to do then there wouldn't be much point. The struggle and even the slip-ups are part of the point of the exercise, IMO. Not something to worry about, but something to embrace for what they are.

 

[Minty]

Thanks, Ebia...only I had a six year old ask a simplified version of that question and I didn't know what to tell her

 

[Protoevangel]

Hi Minty,

Ebia gave a good answer.

As an Orthodox Christian, we are expected to give up all meat, fish, dairy, alcohol, and oil for Lent.

The rule of thumb is, if a neighbor invites you to dinner and serves you meat, you are to eat it. Being a good neighbor is more important than keeping the fast.

Also, if there is a reason you cannot keep the fast, such as health reasons, pregnancy, etc... You and your priest can work out something that will work for you.

Another rule of thumb is that if you are obsessing over your need to eat a piece of meat, just eat it already. The whole point of the fast is to focus on prayer and good deeds. Obsessing over the meat is more damaging to you than actually eating it.

If you slip up, just start over. No one is going to beat you up over it.

 

[ephraimanesti]

I know that not all Christians view Lent in the same way, but for those of you that are sacrificing something for it, what do you do if you break your Lenten promise? What do you do if you slip and accidentily swear if you've given it up, or eat a food that you said you wouldn't?

I'm just curious as to what happens or what you do to (for want of a better word) atone for the mistake.

I know that not all Christians view Lent in the same way, but for those of you that are sacrificing something for it, what do you do if you break your Lenten promise? What do you do if you slip and accidentily swear if you've given it up, or eat a food that you said you wouldn't?



I'm just curious as to what happens or what you do to (for want of a better word) atone for the mistake.

MY DEAR SISTER,

When one slips and falls during Lent, the procedure is the same as for falls during the rest of the year--getting back up, confessing one's sin, and beginning again with the strong intent not to repeat the sin.

One of the major purposes of Lent is to indentify areas of spiritual weakness so that these weak points can be strengthened through our focusing upon them and allowing--by complete surrender to Him--the Holy Spirit to do His work of guiding and strengthening our efforts towards cleansing and self-renewal.

Anything which helps us know ourself and our weakness better is a big plus in our spiritual lives, and in our spiritual journey of transformation, what you call "mistakes" are actually beneficial and, far from being a source of shame, guilt, or frustration, they should be a cause of joy--or, as Roman Catholics would refer to these stumblings, "Oh, happy fault"!

Over and above all this, of course, is the fast that God REALLY desires from us:

"Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and provide the poor wanderer with shelter--when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard."(Isaiah 58:6-8)

A BOND-SLAVE/FRIEND/BROTHER OF OUR LORD/GOD/SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST,

ephraim

 

[Minty]

Thank you so much...the litle girl in question was getting very upset at the thought of doing something bad, wrong and offensive to God...I can tell her differently now

Once again thank you all

 

[JohnDeereFan]

I know that not all Christians view Lent in the same way, but for those of you that are sacrificing something for it, what do you do if you break your Lenten promise? What do you do if you slip and accidentily swear if you've given it up, or eat a food that you said you wouldn't?

I'm just curious as to what happens or what you do to (for want of a better word) atone for the mistake.

There's nothing in the Bible at all about Lent, so you pretty much just have to make up whatever rules you want to about it.

 

[ebia]

There's nothing in the Bible at all about Lent, so you pretty much just have to make up whatever rules you want to about it.

That's also true, but what's been said could be applied equally well to any fast.

 

[HumbleServant94]

JDF is right. There's nothing really in the Bible about Lent. I celebrate Lord's Supper. But I don't really celebrate Lent.

 

[ephraimanesti]

Thank you so much...the litle girl in question was getting very upset at the thought of doing something bad, wrong and offensive to God...I can tell her differently now

Once again thank you all

It is manifestly impossible for anyone seeking to please God to fail in that endeavor in that seeking to please God in and of itself does so.

Lent, when taken seriously and entered into willingly, can be a tremendous blessing and a time of unsurpassed spiritual growth. i look forward to it with great anticipation each year. What is "given up" during Lent is far surpassed by the great spiritual bounty which is received in return.

A BOND-SLAVE/FRIEND/BROTHER OF OUR LORD/GOD/SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST,
ephraim

 

[Alizera]

For me when you mess up, you need to realize that you are imperfect but need to focus more on bettering yourself. The whole point of Lent is to improve your relationship with God by sacrificing something. I say don't stress too much about your mistake, but don't forget it either. Work on self-improvement.

 

[Minty]

Thank you all...I forgot to say that the little girl in question is a Roman Catholic

 

[Aibrean]

I do not "need" to give up anything during Lent but I do because I feel it helps strengthen my faith. The WELS Q&A helps me explain better...

There is quite a bit in the Bible about repentance, self examination, renewal, and focus on what Jesus has done for us. For us the Lenten season is a time to meditate deeply on the meaning of Christ’s suffering and death for our salvation as well as a time in which to concentrate on the continuing importance of amending our sinful lives.

There is nothing wrong in that