The Tribune

By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Writer THE LENTEN season has begun and some Christians are making sacrifices to be spiritually cleansed and on one accord with God. Lent started on Ash Wednesday and for 40 days, some Christians make commitments to give up "something". Through prayer, penance, repentance, almsgiving, and self denial, believers prepare for reconciliation with God. Sacrificial practices and fasting are the highlight of the season for some Christians, and are intended to make each Christian adopt the habit of self-discipline and come to the realisation that they can live beyond things of the world. Lent also prepares Christians for the events surrounding Easter - the commemoration of the crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. As making sacrifices is the highlight of the season, some believers decided well in advance what they will give up for 40 days. "It makes no sense committing to give up something that does not mean anything to you. For instance, giving up drinking sodas means nothing if you do not have to have a soda every day. Now, for someone who drinks sodas every day and they believe they will die if they do not have one, then that can be considered a very valid sacrifice," Antonio Ferguson, a Baptist follower said. Anglican follower Stacy told Tribune Religion she hopes to adopt that practice of self-discipline and make it become part of her daily life after the season comes to an end. "My resolution was to give up shopping and not buy any clothes for myself. So far so good. I have not purchased anything, even though there are times I feel the urge to do so," she said. "I just wanted to discipline myself and prepare myself for the Easter. Although my sacrifice is not spiritually significant, I put too much emphasis on shopping and I spend a lot of money on it. By giving up shopping I can reevaluate my priorities, learn discipline, and apply it to a greater aspect of my spiritual life. This season, Shannon Darling told Tribune Religion he is giving up a bad habit of sin he has been struggling with for a long time. "I am embarking on a new spiritual life. To be successful with my spiritual journey I know that means giving up something. "One of those things I wanted to give up for lent is having sex and that means masturbating too. So for 40 days I am going to be celibate. It is something I wanted to do for a long time but was too weak to stick to it. I want to reach new heights in my life and continuing to fornicate is getting me nowhere," he said. Like Shannon, Renaldo Miller said he will be giving up a bad habit of sin too for lent. "Hopefully sticking to the my commitment I will become more able to deny and not give into any sin. I have a problem with honesty. I lie compulsively and I know now that I gave my life to the Lord that is something that I will have to change. I have been doing good since I made the commitment and it is teaching me a lesson," he said.