So, lent is upon us. For those who don’t know, I’m a non-practicing agnostic Jew who dislikes everything about religion. For the most part. While I do have a deep appreciation for people who do find faith and solace in practicing religion, and I see how it brings people together in a community (and I can’t knock that). But in my experience and what I know to be true, it brings added separation to our world. Keeps individuals from connecting with other individuals and communities from connecting with other communities. And to me, that is bad.

That said, I think the practice of giving up a vice for lent is valuable, no matter your beliefs. But I was curious about the history and the WHY. Good old Wikipedia says:

Lent, in Christian tradition, is the period of the liturgical year leading up to Easter. The traditional purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer — through prayer, penitence, almsgiving and self-denial — for the annual commemoration during Holy Week of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus, which recalls the events linked to the Passion of Christ and culminates in Easter, the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

There are traditionally forty days in Lent which are marked by fasting, both from foods and festivities, and by other acts of penance. The three traditional practices to be taken up with renewed vigour during Lent are prayer (justice towards God), fasting (justice towards self), and almsgiving (justice towards neighbour). Today, some people give up a vice of theirs, add something that will bring them closer to God, and often give the time or money spent doing that to charitable purposes or organizations.

So, while I’m obviously not preparing myself, the [?]believer, I think the practice giving something up to increase your focus [be that on God, charity or relationships], is valuable. Or at least worth a shot.

so, if you haven’t guessed already, i’ve given up red meat, chicken and pork

Inspired by my friends Liz and Doniree, I tried to be a for-real pescatarian last summer, but it didn’t last. I decided on Ash Wednesday to participate in lent because it was lunch time and I hadn’t eaten any meat yet. So, I wanted to see if I can really do this thing.

My boyfriend is definitely a steak person, so it’ll be interesting figuring out dinners that work for both of us … recipes forthcoming!