What Is Lent To Me As A Youth?

How does the youth of my age partake in the celebration of the Lenten season? Does this event have any place in our summertime in itinerary?


Summer is fast approaching. Another school year is about to end. Am pretty sure that at this point, we are already anticipating the calm and leisure that will come our way this wonderful vacation time. Finally, the fun and excitement, the relaxation, the breather especially from the pressures of academic life!


Summertime is usually centered on vacation and leisure. However, we must not forget though that summertime is not all relaxation. Many events come to pass during this so-called "season of leisure". More often than not, we are not totally exempt from participating in events such as fiestas, birthdays, the birth of a new member of the family, visits of family relatives and friends, and the commemoration of Lent, among others. And remember that as a youth, we have certain responsibilities too that we should always take into consideration-at home, in our community and the church as well. However big or small your role is in each episode, nonetheless, you have to do your best to responsibly perform.


Again, does Lent have any place in our plans of activities for summer? My mind was bombarded me with a lot of questions about what role I have to perform and obligations, if any, I have to comply with during Lent. I was so confused as to whether traditions being practiced by old folks in the community are relevant to me. Last year, I joined the Visita Iglesia which seemed to me "alay-lakad" activity then. I precluded myself from eating meat because of my old folks' prohibitions. I had to take a bath before noon during Good Friday, because according to them, it is unholy to do so after the Seven Last Words have begun. I blindly complied with all this age-old practices without really comprehending the reasons behind them.


I realized that the traditions I am blindly comforming with are not so much in consonance with the true spirit of the season. I soon realized that there were a lot of other ways where I can significantly partake in the celebration of Lent. The most important of which is my act of sincere penitence, prayers, sharing of love and care to others, for and in the Glory of God.


And this coming Lenten season, I will fast and abstain and still do little sacrifices not just for the heck of it but to show Christ my deep penitence.


The Season of Lent is on of the most important events that we Catholics observe. It reminds us of the sufferings of Christ when He waived His perfection and opted not just to share in our pain, but to totally deliver us from it and liberate us from sin. And the least we could do to show God our love is to enliven the mysteries of Jesus' passion and be mindful of His death and resurrection.