Lenten Excuse for Sanctimonious BS
If you grew up Catholic as I did, you might be aware that today is Ash Wednesday, the start of the 40-day period of fasting and sacrifice before we rejoice in the resurrection of Christ that we call Lent. I don’t practice anymore, and haven’t for a long time, but I’ve always remained aware of where the start of Lent is for a few reasons.
Lent is the Catholic period of time for ritual fasting and abstinence. According to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, summarized in this article in the Catholic Telegraph, the rules for Lent are fairly straightforward:
Roman Catholics must fast and abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
Additionally, they must abstain from meat on all Fridays during Lent.
Fasting on those two days, defined as consuming one full meal per day, is compulsory for those aged 18 to 59 years.
Starting at the age of 14, abstention from meat on Fridays is compulsory.
In addition:
The article concludes that, “The Catholic tradition of ‘giving something up’ for Lent is a pious tradition but according to the USCCB website, it is not regulated by church law.”
Despite that, Lent can sometimes become a sort of New Years Resolutions do-over. Chances are most people have failed or lapsed in their resolutions by the point Lent rolls around, usually somewhere from the middle to end of February. So, the opportunity to “give something up for Lent” is another chance for them to make good. It used to be a fairly common conversation that I’d get into with people, and one that I will still overhear on occasion.
“What did you give up for Lent?” is how the conversation starts. The answers always vary and are almost always food related. Coffee is a big one. Chocolate, sugar, candy, carbs, soda, bread, meat, etc. So what happens is the same thing that happens when people go on a restrictive diet. They suddenly become hyper aware of every piece of food that is anywhere near them, and if someone generously offers them something, then here comes the sanctimonious refusal. Not simply a “no, thank you”; it has to be “Oh, I can’t. I gave that up for Lent.” It sound exactly the same as, “I can’t, I’m on Atkins.” Or, “I can’t, I went keto.” Or, “I can’t, I’m on Weight Watchers.”
I can’t. That’s the part that’s the key: “I’ve made a choice to restrict myself from eating something I would otherwise enjoy, and I need you to validate my sacrifice so that I can show you how much better of a person I am through exercising all this self-control.”
Listen, if you want to give up eating something for whatever reason—health, religion, diet—go for it. I’m not in any position to tell you what to do. But please spare me the self-aggrandizing moral equivalency.