Today is Friday, and for me, Fridays during Lent mean that I won’t be getting my usual club sub with provolone from Mirror Lake, nor will I be eating my favorite chicken lo mein from Mark Pi’s. For me, as a Catholic Christian, I don’t eat meat on Fridays – holy days during Lent. I also give up certain things in my life to better prepare my heart and to become more aware of Christ’s presence in my life.

According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, “The real aim of Lent is, above all else, to prepare men for the celebration of the death and resurrection of Christ … One can effectively relive the mystery only with purified mind and heart. The purpose of Lent is to provide that purification by weaning men from sin and selfishness through self-denial and prayer, by creating in them the desire to do God’s will, and to make His kingdom come by making it come first of all in their hearts.”

For as long as I can remember I gave up cookies or candy for Lent – it was always something really tempting- and we ate fish sticks and pierogies on Fridays. When I was little, I did these things out of habit and also out of fear of my grandmother, who would not be happy with me if I told her I had eaten a hamburger for lunch. But as I grow older, I am beginning to realize what the true meaning of Lent is and how those 40 days apply to my life as a Christian and as a person.

I am Catholic, and until this year I thought Lent and fish bakes were simply Catholic things. I have learned, though, there are other denominations and religions that observe Lent, but my own personal Lenten views stem from my Catholic background. Right before Ash Wednesday this year I was questioning what Lent really meant to me and why I should even give anything up. I mean, what’s the point? Well, this is what I have come up with.

I still wasn’t sure if I was going to observe Lent in the traditional “Catholic” manner, and it wasn’t until I saw “The Passion of the Christ” that I realized what Lent really meant for me. I no longer am giving up pop or meat because it is what is expected of me. When I think of what Jesus gave up for me to live my life free from sin giving up pop and meat are just small ways of telling Him thank you.

I live a selfish life – giving up pop and swearing isn’t too much to ask.Matthew Sober – a journalist from back home – said that he’s “come to understand the meaning behind those Lenten practices, and I’m learning to view Lent as a time of spiritual renewal. It’s a time to strip away the character flaws and distractions that impede one from a having a relationship with God.”

This year I chose to give up pop and swearing. I gave up pop because it is kind of inescapable. It’s so easy with Mirror Lake and Buckeye Express to just grab a nice, cold Coke. But it’s more of a challenge and an inconvenience to search out milk or drink lemonade instead.

I also gave up swearing, but that’s a different story. Let’s just say that I’m not doing as well with the swearing as I am with the pop, but I am trying to clean up my mouth a little. For me, Lent isn’t just a time to give up chocolate and keep the fish-stick industry booming, but it is really a time of renewal and reflection.

I celebrate Lent because of religious reasons, but I don’t consider Lent exclusive to only Christians. I believe that all people should practice self-denial or even fasting at one time or another. Even giving up something as little as pop or donuts – my mom’s annual Lenten sacrifice – provides a greater awareness for the things that we take for granted and also the things that we put too much emphasis on in our lives. Lent, religious or not, is a time for reflection, and I, as a Christian, use that time between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday to reflect on my beliefs, who I am as a person and most importantly, what and who I am living for.

Laura Corry is a freshman in journalism. She can be reached for comment at [email protected].