The Lenten Season: With Emily Hannington
Author: Rachel Mason
The Lenten Season is the forty days leading up to Easter that Chrisitians observe as a time of reflection. Many chose to give up something or take up something. Recently, I sat down with fellow senior, Emily Hannington, and learned more about what Lent means to her as a Catholic.
What does Lent mean to you?
There is much more to Lent than eliminating soft drinks from your diet or doing away with Instagram. It is an opportunity for Christians to grow in their faith as they prepare for the crucifixion and resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ. To me, Lent is an important time of reflection. Lent is an important season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. The forty days of Lent beginning on Ash Wednesday until Holy Thursday are the most impactful days of the year for Christians in my opinion. During the period, I am reminded of the events leading up to Jesus suffering for my sins. As a Roman Catholic, I treat Lent as a solemn time of preparation and thanksgiving for God sending his son to suffer for us.
Why do you choose to give up certain items for Lent?
Lent, to me, is like a second “new year.” However, giving up or giving in to certain items or practices during lent go beyond typical New Year's Resolutions. During Lent, I typically choose to give up some sort of food, practice, and/or item. I like the challenge of having to do away with something I usually rely on while also having to put parts of my life into perspective. Not eating ice cream is hard, but there are much harder things than that. Jesus fasted for forty days in the desert and paid the ultimate price for my sins. That goes beyond “hard.” Additionally, contrary to popular belief, during Lent, you do not always have to give up something, instead, you can give in to something. Giving in to practices such as daily devotional readings, reading the Bible , and praying intentionally are a few practices that Christians can start during Lent, and they may even become a habit. Because I am Catholic, I also sustain from consuming meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and Fridays of lent for penance and memorial of Christ’s passion. It’s a Catholic thing. All in all, I choose to give up or give in to certain items to grow in my faith and prepare me for Easter.
What have you decided to give up for Lent this year?
This year may be my biggest Lent season yet. I have decided to give up materialistic and objective things as well as start new things. I have decided to eliminate snacking and junk food from my diet, specifically chips, french fries, ice cream, and candy. I also decided to give up one of my most time consuming apps for the second year in a row, TikTok. Lastly, I have decided to use this Lenten season as a chance to improve in prayer. I now try to pray during all the little moments I have, rather than let my thoughts run wild. When riding in the car, walking my dog, or cleaning my room, I use it as an opportunity to talk with God. God is always listening, even if It is a quick thirty second prayer as you brush your teeth.