Lent is a 40-day time of prayer, fasting, self-denial, and almsgiving leading up to Easter. This year it begins Wednesday, February 17, 2010. (For Catholics, at least. Other Christians have other calendars.)
Lent is the most DIY Christian season–you have to pick a vice or luxury to “give up” for the season, and plan how to add more prayer and fasting to your life.
This is my tenth Lent as a vegan. Most Catholics abstain from eating mammals and birds on Fridays during Lent, but that’s my daily routine anyway, so once again I’ll have to devise some sort of food-related Friday absinence. Years ago Adam suggested vegans give up soy; I’ll try that again.
This is the first Lent in years that I had a good idea of what luxury to “give up” far in advance. Oh, it’s so obvious to me. (I’m not going to talk about it ahead of time.)
Two years ago I spent Lent working for an end to the Iraq War, and last year I lived in DC, working full-time to close the Guantanamo prison. This year I’m looking forward to a quieter observance.
What are your Lenten plans?
I’m planning to give up ranting as usual. My record is not good, but I think it’s a worthwhile effort.
Last year I looked at the Friday abstinence practice from a carnivore perspective. I could get away with eating fish and eggs, but I think I actually find it easier to do a water fast. It’s kind of funny to think that you could do the same thing as a vegan.
It’s been a while since I did a fast of more than 22 hours. I think I’ve become more apprehensive about it than I was last year. It will make a good challenge.
Related to giving up ranting, I’m giving up political blogs, or at least blogs where people argue. I think P&C is OK.
Mike C: I don’t know if I could give up ranting/offering unsolicited advice. Would probably be easier to take a vow of silence!