Lent and the Idea of Sacrifice

Today is Ash Wednesday, and the official begininng of Lent, leading up to the betrayal and crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth, culminating in Easter Sunday, celebrating the resurrection.

Many people, especially in the Catholic tradition, use this time of Lent to give something up, as a way to commemorate and symbolize the sacrifice that Jesus made for us. Throughout my life I have gone between participating in this tradition and ignoring it.

The last couple of years I have participated in Lent, but more because I saw it as a way to better myself, not primarily as a way to get closer to God or to try and identify with the suffering of Jesus. Two years ago I gave up sweets and since that time have done a better job of not overdoing it with candy. Similarly last year I gave up fast food, and since, I have not eaten fast food with the regularity that I did before last year, and in fact have eaten fast food less than once a week so far this year (granted it is only February).

Both of those were things that I wanted to "give up" in order to better myself, however, and not really something that I was giving up that would cause me any suffering or real sense of loss, especially since I have tried to continue that practice beyond Lent each of the last two years.

This year, I wanted to give up something that would truly be difficult, and something that I would be extremely glad to get back when the Lenten season was over. I also wanted it to be something that in its absence would allow me a way to grow closer to God.

I've found that item, and this is definitely not going to be easy.

I am giving up the radio. I am giving up listening to music or even sports talk when I am at home (via Internet radio, iTunes, X-Box live, the Sirius/XM ap on my phone, etc.), when I am at work (XM online and Pandora are normally almost always streaming on my computer, and when neither of those are, my iPod is, but not now), and most importantly and most difficultly, in the car.

Working approximately 30 minutes away from where I live, the radio is an essential part of my daily commute. Forcing myself to make that drive in silence will hopefully allow me time to meditate and make more of an effort to commune with God daily. It is hard to drive in that silence and not think about why I am driving in that silence, and that, I believe, will make this a much more rewarding experience than just giving up something that I wanted to or knew that I should give up anyway.

I look forward to seeing how this spiritual discipline will affect me as the Lenten season progresses.

Wish me luck.