For me, Sunday's are definitely off limits for indulging your sacrifices. I don't understand how one can be serious about sacrificing something if all you need to do is wait for the 7th day and then give in.
Lets say that you are a smoker and decided to finally quit. On Sunday night before bed, you crushed out your cigarette. You endure the agony of all day Monday without any beloved nicotine. Tuesday is rough, but you chewed 2 packs of gum and made it. Wednesday was the toughest yet. On Thursday, it got a little easier and you weren't quite so crabby. Friday and Saturday give you some pride that you've made it this long. Sunday morning comes and thank God, cause you can smoke all day!! 2 packs of Class A cigs and what a wonderful Sunday! Now, how is Monday going to go? Did you really make a sacrifice of quitting by smoking on Sunday. You'll never quit or even come close that way. Exactly the same way I view Lenten sacrifices.
I think if one is trying to give up a bad habit, like smoking or, completely hypothetically here (not that I ever do this?: -) , prone to yelling at one's kids, "easing up" on Sunday is not good. In fact, I would argue that trying extra hard on Sunday is best.
But for something good or neutral, like chocolate or soda, or watching a bit of television, Sunday seems fine to me.
Remember, Sundays don't count in the 40 days of Lent, so you can make a case for celebrating Sunday as a day of rest, even from our sacrifices from licit goods.
For me, Sunday's are definitely off limits for indulging your sacrifices. I don't understand how one can be serious about sacrificing something if all you need to do is wait for the 7th day and then give in.
ReplyDeleteLets say that you are a smoker and decided to finally quit. On Sunday night before bed, you crushed out your cigarette. You endure the agony of all day Monday without any beloved nicotine. Tuesday is rough, but you chewed 2 packs of gum and made it. Wednesday was the toughest yet. On Thursday, it got a little easier and you weren't quite so crabby. Friday and Saturday give you some pride that you've made it this long. Sunday morning comes and thank God, cause you can smoke all day!! 2 packs of Class A cigs and what a wonderful Sunday! Now, how is Monday going to go? Did you really make a sacrifice of quitting by smoking on Sunday. You'll never quit or even come close that way. Exactly the same way I view Lenten sacrifices.
That's a good point, and something that people
ReplyDeleteI think if one is trying to give up a bad habit, like smoking or, completely hypothetically here (not that I ever do this?: -) , prone to yelling at one's kids, "easing up" on Sunday is not good. In fact, I would argue that trying extra hard on Sunday is best.
But for something good or neutral, like chocolate or soda, or watching a bit of television, Sunday seems fine to me.
Remember, Sundays don't count in the 40 days of Lent, so you can make a case for celebrating Sunday as a day of rest, even from our sacrifices from licit goods.