I ended up not giving up anything for Lent. I was going to stay away from all sweets and junk food, and to attend Mass every day. I lasted 3 days without sweets, and went to daily Mass maybe 3 times during Lent.

But I did pray, and I did OK in the alms-giving area. But I've decided to try to give something up in the Easter Season, since I blew it during Lent. What I want to give up are my bad habits, like judgmentalism and failing to see Christ's presence in every one of my brothers and sisters that I encounter in my daily life. Many aren't Catholic, some aren't even Christian; some are conservative or moderate, and many are liberal and even pro-abortion. But all were created by God, and all are loved equally by Him; and Christ died for all of them as much as He did for me. So, in that light, I'm trying to see everyone as God sees them.

It turns out that this is harder than giving up sweets would have been.

Radar