For those of you who are unaware, Easter is a HUGE deal in the Catholic school system. I mean, rightfully so… Easter is essentially the compass of our entire faith. Anyway, prior to any Easter celebration, we have to make it through Lent. I say, ‘make it through’ because Lent is the 6 weeks leading up to the holiday where we give up our favorite things as a sign of solidarity with the 40 days Jesus spent in the dessert following his baptism. Despite the temptations presented by the Devil, Jesus did not eat or drink during that time, enduring his suffering by preparing to begin his ministry. I don’t know about you…but a single day without food or water would likely have me clawing the eyes off the first child to walk by holding candy.
The practice of giving things up was highly publicised as a kid. We would announce to our entire classroom what we planned to give up, and how difficult we thought it would be. Due to the spotlight placed on each individual student, it wasn’t easy to simply give up something that wouldn’t really be missed. Had I been smarter I would have declared a love of broccoli 6 months in advance of the big day and feigned devastation at the thought of going without it! I can all but guarantee that most of items ‘given up’ by my peers and I didn’t last more than a few days.
With all eyes on you though, when the teacher asked the question, we knew it had to be big enough to be admired, but small enough to be believable. After school TV, junk food, name calling, and sibling rough housing where among the most popular. Luckily for us, follow up wasn’t a real thing. Similar to new year’s resolutions, we announced them proudly and didn’t spare them much thought after that.
I like to think the commitment I make to Lent nowadays far outweighs what I did as a kid, and hopefully compensates in some way. Today, junk food is still a staple. I’ve given up chocolate, candy, chips, all 3 at once, cheese, pizza, you name it! Though I’ve given up those vices successfully, for the past 5 years I’ve tried to get a bit more creative. Swearing, social media, alcohol, Tim Hortons, and clothing purchases have all been bidden farewell for 6 weeks at a time.
I’ve complained bitterly on cold mornings driving past Tim Hortons. I’ve pouted at beautiful sweaters that would be, ” just PERFECT for me” at Winners. I’ve missed invites to events because of a Facebook ban… and yet, at the end of the 40 days? I always receive that little reminder that the things I believe I can’t live without, don’t mean much at all.
The Zuf Truth 