Life is like a box of chocolates...

My momma always said, "Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get."

Forrest Gump



  When I first converted to Catholicism 23 years ago I was so excited to "give something up" for my first season of Lent.  I was 19 years old and living at home at the time with my single mom and my two younger siblings who were still in High School.  My conversion came as kind of a shock.  Our family wasn't particularly religious and to be perfectly honest my behavior in my youth was a far cry from the saintly musings of Terese.  It was more like the conversion of Saint Augustine.  Although I wouldn't say I live up to those particular standards either.  I am fairly positive that my family thought I was going through a bad phase.  It was the 80's and there were many of them.  Take for instance mullets...or glam metal.  Thankfully, it wasn't.  I was eager to share my new faith with my family and hoping, secretly, to evangelize to them.  The opportunity presented itself in a piece of chocolate.  My family member graciously offered to share some with me and I proudly announced : "I can't. I am giving it up for Lent."  At this point, I cant remember which family member it was but I do remember what their reply was.  "What does giving up chocolate have to do with Jesus?"  I flailed around trying to explain how it was about sacrifice...fish...and...I lost them.  Blah, blah, blah.  There were two things I learned that day.  One, it is never prudent to follow the crowd.  Growing up I saw Catholics giving up chocolate and eating fish on Fridays during Lent.  I did not take ownership of my own spirituality.  Dumb.  Two, there is a famous quote by Einstein that reminds me of this situation.  I am paraphrasing here but it goes something like "If you can't explain it simply you really don't understand it yourself."  I was new to the faith and there was a definite learning curve there.  So friends, let me explain to you what giving up chocolate has to do with Lent.  It doesn't.  My spiritual misstep forced me to educate myself in order to evangelize in a more effective way.  Let me tell you what I wish I would have said:  "Lent is a time of prayer fasting and alms giving where we try to imitate our Lord.  Traditionally forty days is a time for discipline, devotion, and preparation.  Jesus fasted for 40 days in the desert to prepare himself for his passion.  The climax of our church is Good Friday(the crucifixion) and Easter Sunday (the Resurrection).  It is a sacred time in our church year that Catholics use to shed bad habits and focus COMPLETELY on Christ.  Whatever you give up for Lent should be done with the intention that it draws you closer to Him.  I am giving up...(insert anything but chocolate here) in order to imitate Christ.  Does that answer your question?"