For you C(A)RAZY! Catholics out there

[son_of_a_gunn_25]

Posted: 2/23/04 at 10:41am

This could get me shot for bringing up something religious on this board, but what are the crazy Catholics on the board giving up for Lent? I am giving up using the elevator in my dorm and taking the stairs instead (I live on the sixth floor.) I am thinking about giving up something else too but I haven't decided what. (If anyone would like to know why we give up things for Lent feel free to ask.) I am very nice and even if you disagree with Catholicism or religion in general it is important to stay informed on what you disagree with in our religion.

Updated On: 2/23/04 at 10:41 AM

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 2/23/04 at 10:52am

sweets, flogging the bishop, and i'm still deciding on whether or not i'll attempt to give up cursing.

Posted: 2/23/04 at 10:55am

Sex.

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 2/23/04 at 10:57am

copycat

[EddieVarley]

Posted: 2/23/04 at 11:22am

I'm giving up giving things up, so during this Lent period I shall engage in wretched excess, of course there is a chance I'll be smited by my benevolent yet vengeful God, but so what else is new? Last year I gave up wearing boot cut jeans...

[orion59]

Posted: 2/23/04 at 11:51am

I would love to know why one gives things up fo lent. Does depriving yourself of something you enjoy actually bring you closer to God? I was a catholic many years ago and can't remember the reasoning behind this. I do know that it seems for some people a way of gaining attention. There are people I work with who never mention anything religious any other time of the year but come lent, it's "I almost gave in to that cholcoalte cake last night but I stopped myself because it's lent. It's so hard, I don't know if I can make it." twenty times a day, day after day for 40 days. Until I want to just shove a piece of cake or a cigarette into their mouths to end my suffering of having to listen to it.

Posted: 2/23/04 at 12:00pm

I'm not Catholic, I just like using Lent as my excuse for not getting any.

[lassy]

Posted: 2/23/04 at 12:01pm

Well, one thing's for sure. I'm not giving up my three message boards.

[son_of_a_gunn_25]

Posted: 2/23/04 at 12:07pm

Well I don't know about anyone else, but I give up things for lent in remembrance of the sacrifice I believe Jesus made for us. Its one of those things he did so much for us so we do this in remembrance of his sacrifice so we make a sacrifice of our own. It helps to show me at least how unimportant lots of things that out culture tells us are necessitities which are really just laziness in most cases. I also try to make the things I give up become a lifetyle change. I gave up pop last year, and since then I only drink a fraction of what I used to drink, this year I am giving up the elevator because it is healthier to take the stairs and I don't get enough exercise as it is. Hopefuly it'll get me to use the stairs more often in the future. Overall I think it makes me a healthier person, and in the Good Ole Book it says your body is a temple so take care of it. Thats my humble opinion on the matter. Those people who were pulling the old Pharisee thing at your work didn't have the right mindset. NOW BACK TO THE FUN AND GAMES!

Updated On: 2/23/04 at 12:07 PM

[SonofMammaMiaSam]

Posted: 2/23/04 at 12:50pm

I am giving up Eddie Varley for Lent! I'm also giving up being Catholic so that I don't have to give up Eddie Varley for Lent. He's so dreamy!

[EddieVarley]

Posted: 2/23/04 at 12:57pm

Just have the Low Carb Eddie Varley and you'll be guilt free!

[SonofMammaMiaSam]

Posted: 2/23/04 at 1:12pm

With a dash of Splenda, pure heaven on earth!

[EddieVarley]

Posted: 2/23/04 at 1:16pm

Heaven and Lent, you've pulled it all together, and scene.

[son_of_a_gunn_25]

Posted: 2/23/04 at 1:27pm

I am going to have to steal some of these jokes in case I ever write a comedy.

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 2/23/04 at 3:23pm

Roast Turkey and watermelon.

[eponine88]

Posted: 2/23/04 at 5:05pm

I'm giving up chocolate for Lent (among other things, but this is my BIG one)....I don't know if I'll make it all the way through.
My religion class had a lengthy discussion on Lent today (my teacher's a priest). The 40 days of Lent are symbolic of the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness after his baptism. Supposedly this was to bring him closer to God, and enable him to delve more closely into what he had to do as the Messiah, meaning whether being the Messiah meant to fulfill the warrior-king stereotype the Jews had concocted or to do God's will in everything he did, no matter what the cost. During Lent we are supposed to reflect on how we can be Christ to the world, and therefore give something up to remind us of the trials Jesus was put to in the wilderness. Doing so is symbolic of removing ourselves from the corruption in the world, and therefore we are closer to God. Just in case anyone was interested on a priest's point of view on this whole thing....

[LadyGuenevere]

Posted: 2/23/04 at 5:10pm

I'm actually trying my best to work on sacrifice this year.

I disagree with the actual church (the priests, the fact that the pope is 'higher' in the Church...etc etc.) but I believe in God and Jesus, and etc., so I'm giving up something for Lent.

I already don't eat meat on Fridays, I will add Wednesdays to the list. I will also NOT eat more than my daily amount of calories a day that I have before (I have been slacking...), so it basically means NO chocolate, soda, chips, etc. I will also try to give up sassing some of my teachers and cussing excessively. (<-- which I'm predicting will go down the first traffic incident I get into on the road, but I'll try!)

[Jane2]

Posted: 2/23/04 at 5:19pm

quote - "meaning whether being the Messiah meant to fulfill the warrior-king stereotype the Jews had concocted "

This is something I'm not aware of. What did your priest say the Jews concocted?

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 2/23/04 at 5:23pm

I WAS catholic...until they changed all the rules. Hell, I prayed to saints before they were "defunked"... ate mac and cheese every Friday (no meat). Even thought priests floated on helium from heaven...till one cornered me in his discipline room like Snidley Whiplash, pinned me up against a wall and said "It's me or the whip". I cried "The Whip". Truly! I gave up alright. I gave up being Catholic.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 2/23/04 at 5:42pm

Cigars

I did it last year & after lent I went back. Maybe I can stay off them for god this time. I would try chocolate but know I couldn't go that long without it.

Posted: 2/23/04 at 6:41pm

Lent is a time of becoming more aware of the sacrifice made by Jesus, of becoming more Christ-like, Christian as it were, in our everyday lives. Lent is most often associated by "giving up" something, but that need not be the only way to relate to such supreme sacrifice. For example, volunteering one's time, or helping someone quietly and in a way that calls no attention to oneself. One Lent I vowed to go to Mass each and everyone of the 40 days. I succeeded in keeping my vow. [Denial is always difficult however going to Mass caused me to deny myself leisure time but I could live with that.]

As Msgnr. Toohy said Sunday in his homily, loving someone who loves you is easy. Loving and/or being kind to someone who spits at you and derides you is an act of Christ. Lent should be be hard because none of us are Christ.

This year, hmm, I'm not sure yet. Maybe to read one or two books of The New Testament. I don't want to be too inconvenienced. LOL. But hey, I'm a sinner so that's the struggle.

The Jews have it much easier. They just atone one day out of the year then have a big meal afterwards.

Catholicism is hard.

Posted: 2/23/04 at 6:43pm

I gave up tv once. Havent observed Lent in a long time though.

-Christina

[BroadwayDiva]

Posted: 2/23/04 at 7:19pm

I gave up TV in the second grade. It didn't work.


I, being a Catholic in a Catholic school run by the nun who stuffs twinkies in her shoes (remember??) am always pressured to give things up. But I don't believe in all this stuff- how about just being nice to people? That's what I'm doing during Lent.

I don't see the point- I go to church so damn much, I don't think I should give anything up, considering I don't believe in half the stuff the Catholic church teaches.

[Broadwaylady]

Posted: 2/23/04 at 7:34pm

Giving up something for lent should be a sacrifice. One of my friends does not watch t.v. and chooses to read for those 40 days. I usually will give up something I love, like sweets. Going to mass every day keeps things in perspective.

[innocentchoirboy]

Posted: 2/23/04 at 8:10pm

Lent is not just about sacrificing. Lent is a time to observe all of the undesirable things in your life (a.k.a. things Jesus wouldn't do, if you believe that sort of thinking) and make a change. because we as americans tend to do things in excess, we normally give something up. but i try to just do things that will help me, which means cutting back on sweets and coke but also walking the dog every morning for exercise and enrolling in a dance class because i'm so out of shape. think of lent as a new year resolution enforcer. Good ol catholic guilt keeping you on track for forty days can create great habits for the rest of your life. hasn't happened for me yet, but we ADD people love our patterns. Tomorrow is my Name! Carnavale! (that's my last name) in latin it litterally means good bye to flesh. and for all of you saying "Carnival" its really pronounced "Carnavolly" volly as in vollyball. happy mardis gras, shrove tuesday, Carnevale, and whatever other translations there might be!