Even though Lent is in the past for 2025, I'd like to reflect on it one more time. In many Christian circles, the season of Lent arrives alongside the question, "What are you giving up for Lent?" I would like to suggest two different questions that I find more helpful and relevant to us all year round.
For the first question, let's look to Jesus' words in Luke 9:23, He says "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me." Some people that only look to their interpretation of the Bible for authority say, "Lent is not in the Bible, so you don't need to do it."
I would respond, "You are right that Lent is not in the Bible. That would be anachronistic. Jesus actually teaches us to follow the guidelines of Lent every day." Instead of asking, "What are you giving up for Lent?" It would be better to ask, "What are you giving up and taking up today and everyday?" Everyday Jesus says to deny yourself and take up your cross.
For the second question, let's look to St. Paul's words in Philippians 3:12. He writes, "Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me." In this passage, St. Paul is writing about the perfection that is the Christlikeness that comes from communion with Jesus. As a paraphrase, I would say, "I strive to hold dearly to Jesus because He holds dearly
to me."
You see, Lent is not really about giving up anything. It is more about recognizing what you hold dearly. This past Lent did you recognize how at times you hold dearly to your sinful passions? I always think of the acronym, PALE GAS, which stands for: Pride, Anger, Lust, Envy, Gluttony, Avarice, Sloth. This past Lent did you also find the joy of holding dearly to Jesus?
Instead of asking ourselves, "What should I give up for Lent?" I think a better question is, "To what do I hold dearly?" As we continue with this season of Pascha, strive to hold dearly to Jesus because He holds dearly to you.
 Originally published in the Holy Apostles E-bulletin. Subscribe here.
