Asking the Clergy: How does observing Lent benefit us spiritually?

Abstaining from sweets, meats and other favorite foods is traditional during Lent, the solemn religious observance that began on Ash Wednesday (Feb. 14 this year). This week’s clergy discuss how volunteerism and doing good deeds can also have spiritual benefits while commemorating the time Jesus Christ spent in the desert preparing for his ministry.

THE REV. ROBERT CEDERSTROM SR.

Pastor, Christ Lutheran Church of

New Hyde Park  

Lent is a time of reflection observed by most Christian denominations, although the way they observe it can be quite different. For me, Lent is a time of reflection as we look upon Christ’s sacrifice on the cross — a sacrifice that gives us our salvation. It is also a time of refreshment as we renew our relationship with God and one another, as we try to change our ways to live the type of life God has intended for us. To that end it is a time of rejoicing as we move closer to God. Some people give something up for Lent, but I’m not sure that fixes anything. If you give up chocolate cake for 40 days, on the 41st day you’ll shove as much chocolate cake into your mouth as possible. Why not add something during Lent? Volunteer your time at a nursing home for 40 days and on the 41st day, you’ll probably keep visiting. This is what change looks like to me. So during Lent, repent and rejoice and do something different for humankind, not for yourself. And while you’re at it, have a second piece of chocolate cake and enjoy the journey.  

THE REV. MSGR. FRANCIS J. MANISCALCO

Retired pastor, St. Thomas the Apostle Roman Catholic Church, West Hempstead

Lent is an opportunity to follow Jesus’ own example. Each year on the first Sunday of Lent, Catholics hear the Gospel passage about Jesus fasting 40 days and 40 nights in the desert at the beginning his ministry. He teaches us, in this way, the importance of taking time to concentrate our minds on what our lives should be about. One way to do so is by limiting our intake of things we legitimately enjoy such as food. We demonstrate, by fasting, that we believe we ought to live not by bread alone but by God’s will. Our consumer society embodies a great temptation to let our lives be ruled by our possessions rather than by God. Lent is the time to test whether we are choosing things over God, who created them and us. But Lent is not just about giving up things. Doing so ought to remind us of the vast number of people for whom giving up things is not an option because they lack even the necessities of life. Lent is also a time to act on their behalf and to encourage our society to join in relieving these needs.  

THE REV. CANON MARIE A. TATRO

Canon for Community Justice Ministry, Episcopal Diocese of Long Island  

For many Christians, Lent is a season of penitence, sacrifice and abstinence, while we also confront our own mortality. But this shouldn’t be confused with deprivation or self-flagellation. I think of it as an opportunity for a spiritual reset. It’s true that we typically frame it as giving up certain luxuries or pleasures: chocolate, alcohol, social media. But it can also be an affirmative reset: doing something, as opposed to not doing something. In my childhood, in addition to abstaining from candy, we attended a short, 5:30 p.m. mass every day during Lent. Mom brought me directly from softball practice with my cleats still on my feet! But sometimes she also guided us through another activity: writing down one good thing that we did each day and putting the paper in a shoe box. We then opened it on Easter, to read through our 40 notes of kindness. Those lessons continue to guide me, as a priest and just as a person. When we pay attention to our actions throughout each day, making note of them, it is indeed a spiritual benefit to ourselves, but more importantly, a gift to others. Thanks, Mom!