Lent is the Christian observance of the period from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday, a bit over six weeks. Ash Wednesday is February 22 this year, so it is upon us.

The traditional purpose of Lent is the penitential preparation of the believer – through prayer, penance, repentance, almsgiving and self-denial (based on admonitions in Matthew 6)– for the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday.

According to the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, Jesus spent forty days fasting in the desert before the beginning of his public ministry, where he endured temptation by Satan. Thus, Lent is described as being forty days long, though different denominations calculate the forty days differently.

This event, along with its pious customs, are observed by Roman Catholics, Orthodox, Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians, Anglicans/Episcopalians. Lent is increasingly being observed by other denominations as well, even such groups that have historically ignored Lent, such as some Baptists and Mennonites.

During Lent, some people commit themselves to a form of fasting or temporarily give up certain types of luxury. Hence the common question, what are you giving up for Lent? After Vatican II, Catholics in particular were encouraged to think of adding positive changes during Lent, not just giving up luxuries or trying to break bad habits. After all, Lent is about fasting, not dieting so that you can fit into your Easter outfit.

I typically say that I am giving up lobster or that I am just giving up.

This year, however, I think I am going to try both the giving-up and the adding-on approaches. My plan is to give up complaining about people (and I have some individuals in mind) and trying to speak positively about people. In order to do this, I will have to be more conscious of what I am doing all the time, and living more mindfully is a good thing.

And don’t forget, Mardi Gras is Tuesday, February 21. Get some beads, eat some gumbo and laissez les bons temps rouler.