Chocolate is an addictive indulgence that can captivate your eyes and make them bigger than your stomach. Although fasting items like chocolate and things that are a ‘once in a while treat’ are a way to participate, the goal of fasting is to strengthen your faith and relationship with Christ. For many, it is a misconception that giving up is essential for Lent, but by taking up a new habit, one can grow one’s faith in more ways.
Most commonly Lent is described as the focus of fasting, prayer, and reflection leading up to Easter, leading up to the celebration of the resurrection of Christ Jesus, signifying hope and new life beginnings. Many people within the district have been participating in this celebration in their own ways to signify their faith during this time.
Freshman Karsyn Stanford decided to take up something this Lenten season and has seen a lot of success from this. Stanford said, “Lent is the forty days leading up to Jesus’ resurrection. My church talked about how giving up something important to you shows your love for Christ. But also taking up something you love and doing it every day is equally important because it can grow your love for him. I am taking up reading the Word every morning and night so that I can receive his gifts to start and end my day. At my church, we call the word bread because the Bible can do nothing to hurt you. It is filled with things all about everyday life and can only provide for you and not take away anything from your life, only strengthen it. I feel like by taking up reading the Word more often, I can bring people closer to God.”
Stanford advised people struggling with being consistent with their Bible, “It can be hard to do it sometimes, but just remember that it is a blessing and is rewarding in your faith. So, read your Bible everyone, and if you have any questions about faith, I will help you with open arms, because Jesus loves you.”
Stanford is making it her priority to take up her Bible and has found so much joy and positive feelings from it.
Junior Evie Miller had a different goal in mind, for she decided to use the give-up and fasting method, and has also seen a lot of success in her ways. Miller said, “The first thing I gave up was buying random stuff, because I work at Hy-Vee, I feel like I buy a lot of things I don’t need. Another thing I am trying to do is give up cursing. I haven’t done as well on this just because I find myself doing it without even realizing.”
“I just like the challenge of it,” Miller said, “I feel good being able to sacrifice something as Jesus did.” Even though Miller experienced some failure, she still finds ways to reflect on her good deeds and find faithful value this Lenten season. Finding value in the sacrifice is important to Miller and many other students.
“It’s more than just giving up something for a few weeks, it’s about serving the community and being able to grow your own faith with Christ, he fought through pain for us [during his resurrection], it is important to honor him by trying to make positive changes and fasting’s in our own lives,” said Clare Garrity after working a fish fry at St. John’s Catholic Church. Garrity enjoys working the dessert table and busing tables with her sister on Fridays after school, “It is a great way to give back to the community and help others on their fasting journey.”
For Catholics, it is very common to fast on Fridays (additionally, some on Wednesdays) by not eating meat. To meet these dietary requirements, churches will warm up the fryers for the community and serve these customers. St. John’s, on average, serves around 200 meals of Alaskan pollock with fries and grilled cheese to meat the fasting needs of the community.
Although some people of the ADM District continue to celebrate the season of Lent with a faithful mindset, it is not limited to the Christian religions. In general, the Lenten season is a great time for self-reflection, thinking about your habits (good or bad), and to think how you can grow yourself in the early months of 2026.
Whether that be a time for meditation, journaling, or silent reflection, remember that no one’s perfect, and in order to grow yourself, be conscious of yourself and where you want to be. Whether that occurs with or without spiritual guidance, Lent is the perfect time to reflect and create new habits that can allow change for the better, not just give up an item to better yourself physically, but also spiritually.
