Ash Wednesday

I practice Lent. Some years are more rigorous than others, but I’ve practiced Lent since becoming a Christian. I get asked why I “do” Lent.

Why do I need to give up something to prove my love for God? What is the point of it?

I enjoy practices of willpower. That’s a completely non-religious reason. For the past few years, part of my Lenten commitment has been to maintain a vegan diet. Many people think that it’s detrimental to my health, but let’s be honest- I have few friends that understand food well. As someone who’s struggled with eating disorders and as a vegetarian, I’ve done a lot of research into how food behaves with the body. That said, I feel awesome when I maintain a vegan diet. I have more energy, I sleep better, my skin is better… I also just learned a couple of weeks ago during a conversation with family that my mother can SEE the difference in me when I am vegan. She said something along the lines of how I glow. That part of my lenten commitment is a benefit to my health.

Because of my ethical views on animal agriculture in this country, Lent also affords me a period of time to re-focus on my commitment to a vegetarian lifestyle.

For 40 days, my eating habits make me a better citizen of the earth as my carbon footprint is reduced.

For 40 days, my diet serves as a constant reminder of Lent. For me, Lent parallels the 40 days during which Jesus meditated before taking on his ministry. To generalize Jesus’ experience in the wilderness: Jesus went into the wilderness for 40 days, fasting. During this time, he was tempted by Satan. What I take from this story: Jesus gave serious consideration to his commitment to ministry. He was tempted by other ways, but ultimately he knew the path his life needed to take.

Lent is about raising my values into my consciousness in a serious way and meditating on what that means in my life. I find myself again every year. I become more in touch with myself and feel rooted in my faith. When Easter arrives, it is with joy that I feel my faith resurrected. Lent takes me out of how mundane life can feel. It takes me away from my anger at Christians on newscasts and reminds me why I wear a cross around my neck every day: because I love Christianity; it is beautiful. All of the ignorance in the world can’t take that beauty away from Jesus.

Lent is my cocoon.