The meaning and
practice of Lent
by Amanda Peterka
Freshman
Yawar Rizwan from Pakistan talks about the role religion plays
in his life. (Photo by Jesse Zrull)  |
As Lent approaches, one former Michigan State
University student prepares to do the impossible-go 40 days without
spending money.
This year, students at Michigan State will
find a number of ways to observe the 40-day Lenten season, which begins
on Ash Wednesday.
Neal Wagner, a Catholic and an economics major
who graduated last year from Michigan State, will be giving up spending. Although
he will still need to buy groceries and other necessary items, Wagner
plans on drastically cutting back on his addiction to consumerism.
“Half of the reason is to conserve money, but half is to test
my will and put to rest some of my materialist tendencies,” he
said.
The tradition of giving up something for Lent
has its origins in the Middle Ages, according to Father Mark Inglot,
pastor at St. John Student Parish on MAC. “I still give up Snickers bars, and I’m
51 years old,” Inglot said. “It might seem like a
frivolous, silly thing to do, but it reminds us that Jesus gave up his
life.”
Others will be giving back more to Jesus and
their fellow students. David
Koch, a junior majoring in philosophy at Michigan State and part of
the Reformed Church of America, hopes to find atonement for his sins
and teach others about the Christian meaning of Lent.
“We have to think seriously about what the season of Lent and
Easter is about,” he said. “We need to get past the
Easter bunny and realize it’s about a savior and the people who
need to be saved.”
“When I think of Lent, I see a picture of Christ dying and rising
from the dead,” he added.
Koch is a member of Spartan Christian Fellowship,
a bible study group that meets once a week. According to him,
during Lent they will be discussing why Jesus had to suffer and die,
why His being raised to life is important and what it means for His
followers.
According to Inglot, Lent means a time to reevaluate
life. “It
does the same thing for me that my GPS does in my car,” he said. “Lent
helps me refocus, turn course and get it back.”
For students on campus, turning course may
come in the form of tutoring children, taking alternative spring breaks,
celebrating Mass on Sundays, getting more serious about studies or
even trying to be nicer to roommates.
