Baba Rose |
What? That must have been the first time something was denied me because my grandparents made it their business to ensure that whatever I wanted I had. I did not make sense of the time span, "until Easter" but I went about my business with a frown and then forgot all about it until the next time I was denied. Still I did not dwell on these things and yet the lesson continued. "Someday you will be glad you did without...."
Granpap Teofil |
Me about 4 years old |
Although I left the Catholic religion which today beckons me for the spiritual comfort, a Lenten tradition of deprivation became my annual ritual. I used to be a chocoholic, there was not a place I did not stash chocolate, it went where I did; my co-workers could always find a supply in my office. While I am unsure of the exact year, sometime in the early 1990's I decided to make the ultimate Lenten sacrifice and give up chocolate; Roberta, who was most devout and my closest friend questioned me about the severity of my choice, would I be able to do that.,really? It certainly was one of the most difficult deprivations I ever experienced but a miracle emerged just like Easter, I lost my extreme fondness for chocolate; not something I was looking for but something I have now recognized as a blessing. I have never again been consumed by chocolate. Today I enjoy some dark chocolate now and then but I can take it or leave it. It's not something that I crave or need and I am amazed thinking back to how I had to eat chocolate at least once a day then. Lent the four letter word rewarded me at the end of it all, just as promised by my grandma so long ago.
Today it is really difficult for me to think of giving up something I would miss eating; I am not a
Me today leaner and healthier |
So what to give up for Lent in 2014? Something that will be a daily reminder in denial. I have determined it is another four letter word, one I've been saying out loud in response to annoyance, rubbish, or other non likable things that happen. No, it's not that "f" word although I admit to evoking it in absolute frustration, for especially bad news like death, cancers, etc. I was unaware that I used this other word so frequently until Jerry mentioned something one day and then I attempted to disguise it using the Polish for it. Bad habits start with such unawareness. This word is not pleasant and not nice and not something I recall saying much in the past, it starts with "s" may be preceded with another 4 letters, "bull." So for Lent, the cuss jar appears. When ever I say that word it's $1 to the jar; further, each time I think it it's 50 cents. If I am dutiful and persevere, this bad habit will be gone in 40 days when the joy of Easter returns. The money will go to the Salvation Army, one of my favorite charities and one that I support financially all the time.
What are you giving up for Lent or do you?
"I left the Catholic religion which today beckons me for the spiritual comfort".
ReplyDeleteAre you being called back? You won't regret it if you do.
I am giving some things up, but I am also adding some things in - a bit of daily spiritual reading and less social media. Last year I gave up FB entirely, but right now, I really need that connection and comfort since I lost my cats so recently.
I will think of you this Lent, Pat, and trust that your faith will be renewed.
thanks Kat, I have struggled over this decision for several years. I should have heeded it long ago in CA when my bestest friend Roberta passed and her priest assured me that I could return to the Church. I thought of giving up FB too but it is for me like you a connection. I am decreasing my time there though. And for Lent praying a daily rosary, something I have not done forever, using Roberta's rosary.
DeleteYour idea is good all around. I wonder how much money will be in the jar for the Salvation Army, when Lent is done. If you are being called back to the Catholic Church I hope you will heed the call. It is a joy to have a church home :)
ReplyDeleteas another FB comment: doesn't always mean giving up you can also do some good works
ReplyDeleteI am delighted to hear that, Pat. You know, I think my faith is most firmly rooted in the hymns, and that is why I get great fulfillment from singing with our choir. I am working on my prayer-life - the rosary is something I need to be way more consistent with. You can't go wrong with your Lenten plan! Kat x
ReplyDeleteLovely post! I can understand how you're returning to the Catholic Church. Although I'm Protestant, hub's Catholic (Catholic schools, etc. all the way up) but a lapsed one who's looking at the Church with fresh eyes now that Pope Francis is there . . . as am I . . . I'm so turned off by all this evangelicalism . . . and so delighted by Pope Francis, the Catholic Church has become a refreshing haven as to what Christianity's all about.
ReplyDeleteHmm, I've never understood the big deal over chocolate.
Kittie, oh yes and there will always likely be some things with which I disagree in catholicism...but the local Methodists where we live now have never appealed to me, I do not relate. The church "service" has degenerated into a community activity center with children running the show and running all around too. The pastor has good messages but they manage to keep that to a minimum and continue with their circus activities. Something else my grandma told me before she died "no matter what you think, Patty, you will always be catholic."in response to my saying I was not Catholic anymore. Even though masses have changed significantly from when I grew up (Latin and Polish) at least there is a basic liturgy on which one can rely.
DeletePat, there were so many common threads in this post. I too recall giving up material things, especially food items, as a child. Somehow stopped doing so in adulthood, but recently read a very good post by a fellow blogger, Charlotte (Butterbean Row) about fasting from things such as gossip being a much better idea. Also, Pat and I were both raised in the Roman Catholic faith. I attended Catholic school thru hs as well. We tried the local Methodist church for several years. It did not hold anything spiritual for me, so we stopped attending services. All those people we had met never once inquired as to "why" and said they missed seeing us if we saw them at the local post office or grocery store and some even stooped associating with us. The minister's only concern was to ask if it was something he said. In a way it was as we found his messages never meant anything. While we are now not church goers, we do pray within our own home and try not to badmouth others, swear, cheat, etc. actions do speak louder than words. Many so-called Christians are only so in name one day a week. I did not mean this as a rant, just wanted to reply to your post and agree with most of the previous comments. I may yet return to the Catholic church and do believe your grandma was right.
ReplyDeleteBea, I hae he same experience here ith hese methodists of MN. they care less if they see you or not, no follow up, etc. I attribute this to their "norwegian/swedish" culture because it was not this way in CA. I feel the same, they carry on like Christians all over the place, but really? NaH.
ReplyDeleteThe cuss jar is getting pretty filled up...I seem to do better giving up food than that word. Of course ately here is much to use it with. sigh