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Rose
wrote:
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Hi, guys —
I asked this question on Face book:
- What are you giving up for Lent?
Shortly afterward, a mutual friend wrote:
You're supposed to keep your sacrifices
to yourself — don't
tell!
I googled my question and found many blogs
with people sharing their ideas. I thought
this is how we learn . . . from each other.
Another friend wrote:
I didn't know you weren't supposed to tell
what you are giving up for Lent. I went
to a Catholic school for a few years and
the teachers often asked us during the
Lenten season what we were giving up. Whether
you shared or not was your own personal
choice.
I think I may give up about five or ten
pounds; I'm not sure yet : ) I
know that during Lent I always feel especially
bonded to Christ through the small sacrifices
I do make and that is something worth sharing!
- What is wrong with sharing ideas?
I don't mean to encourage bragging or to bolster
one's pride but to share and learn from each
other.
After reflecting and praying on this subject,
I think it is okay to share with others what
one is planning for Lent. It helps that person
to keep their promise for 40 days. However,
at the end of the 40 days, if that person
boastfully tells everyone what they did, that
is when they are going against the Bible.
I need help and support to get through these
40 days.
Nevertheless, my friend is insisting that
I am wrong.
- Am I?
- What is the rule on this?
Thank you,
Rose
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Are
you supposed to keep your Lenten sacrifices
a secret or is it OK to tell others? }
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John
replied:
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Hi, Rose —
There is no rule regarding this matter.
The Lord does warn us not perform
our acts of sacrifice or charity
in a public manner, in order to receive
the praise of others, but that has
to do with the intention one has
behind sharing what they've done.
If one is sharing it so people will
be impressed with them, then it's
wrong, but that's something you need
to judge for yourself.
Only you know your motivation. Other
than that, there is no reason not
to share.
John
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Mary
Ann replied:
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Rose —
It doesn't matter if you tell or
not tell. Some penances are
obvious, for instance, but there
should be something you keep between
yourself and God, so that you don't
already receive your reward from
the admiration of others (as Jesus
spoke of the Pharisees, who were
admired for their fasting and almsgiving).
With charity work, don't let everyone
know. With penances, when you share
them, the expectations of others
can be a drag on fulfilling them,
but for the ones that involve other
people in some way, charity is the
rule.
If you can't hide your penance, then
tell them so as to avoid insulting
them, or break your penance so as
to avoid offending them (if, for
instance, you are at a dinner party,
take a little of what the hostess
offers).
Mary Ann
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