Teachers and students explain their Lenten sacrifices
Many BSM students cite Netflix as one of their biggest habits. Because of this, giving up Netflix can be a great way to test oneself during Lent.
March 5, 2018
Whether it be a physical object or giving up certain foods, like sweets, Lent is a time when participants give up something that they value in their everyday life. Seniors Luke Coughlin and Paige Greeley, junior Grace Juckniess, and religion teacher Mr. Brounstein, explain what they gave up for Lent and why.
Right now, Fortnite is arguably the most pervasive video games of the moment. As the game has taken the BSM community by storm, it has also taken over many students’ time. For this reason, senior Luke Coughlin decided this was the best thing for him to give up for Lent. “I gave it up because it took up to much time… I don’t think it will be easy because it is a habit I have and habits are hard to overcome,” Coughlin said.
Similar to Fortnite, Netflix has become a cultural staple. Its many different offerings offer students the opportunity to “bingewatch” their days away. Senior Paige Greely admits to letting Netflix takeover much of her time, and has decided to give up Netflix for this reason, “I usually watch Netflix late at night and it makes me stay up late, resulting in me not getting enough sleep on school nights… I don’t think it is going to be easy because whenever I’m bored and have nothing to do I usually watch Netflix,” Greely said.
In a different way, snacking between meals can be a rewarding habit to give up during Lent, as it is a common part of day to day life for most people. For religion teacher Matt Brownstein, this decision to give up snacking hits at the key theme of the event itself. “I am giving it up because I think it is good for me. It gives me the opportunity to offer up my sufferings to God for the help of others,” Brounstein said.
Much like snacking, Junior Grace Juckniess has also decided to give up types of food, specifically chips and fries. “I eat them a lot and it’s going to be really hard… It will be hard because it’s like half of my diet,” Juckniess said.
Giving things up for Lent can be very difficult, it tests willpower and desire for these things. It is a great way for people to disconnect from our everyday lives and to grow closer to God. “Lent has always been a time of prayer and fasting and abstaining from things… our model is christ in the desert for 40 days and he was fasting and praying in order to become closer with God,” Brounstein said.
For Catholics, Lent is to strengthen their connection and following God’s path. “Giving up stuff helps your relationship with God, so this is for people to connect with others and God,” Brounstein said.
