Imperial Valley sacrifices for Lent
Lent is the period of 40 days that people of the church give something up or even use some of their time for God.
Lent is practiced as a season of reflection, meant for Jesus Christ’s sacrifice for all of humanity.
Ivan Mora, Youth Group leader at Saint Mary’s, said that one of the common things that people give up seems to be somehow related to technology.
He has worked with high school youth for two years.
He said his teenage cousin gave up her Facebook to make real friends.
“My Lent offering is waking up 15 minutes earlier everyday to listen to God who speaks in silence. I say my morning prayer and sit down quietly for that period of time,” Mora said.
Mora said that at first, it was a struggle to wake up 15 minutes earlier and sit in silence to listen to God.
However, Lent’s purpose is for someone to observe, reflect and repent on what they’ve done.
So, Mora giving up something important to him for Lent is a common practice to the churches.
“I chose this as my Lent offering because I want to know with more clarity what God wants for my life. My hope is that this Lent, I will be able to learn to do silent prayer and recognize God’s voice in my daily life,” Mora said.
Isis Ramirez, a 14 year-old freshman at Central Union High School, is currently attending the Youth Group at Saint Mary’s and decided to give up sugar and chocolate this Lent.
“I really like chocolate, and I know it’s going to be difficult, but I’m going to manage,” Isis said.
Isis said she hopes that even after the season of Lent is over, she can stay away from the chocolate as much as possible.
She said that she wants to stay away from anything unhealthy in general. Jasmine Franco, a 16-year-old junior at Southwest High School, said instead of her giving up something, she took it upon herself to use her extra time to devote and listen more to Jesus by attending the youth
group at Saint Mary’s.
“I’ve always wanted the experience, and I love new friends. I figured the youth group would be a good way to spend my time,” Jasmine said.
Jose Guillen, a 14-year-old freshman at Southwest High School, gave up soda.
“It’s important because it will keep me healthier and give me more time to pray,” Jose said.
Jose also said that he thinks
that he’ll be successful due to his strong will power. His main point of view was that the citrus in his soda was unhealthy, so he said that he could use his soda drinking time to pray instead.
Overall, people sacrifice what they love to be closer to God and to remind themselves of their religious commitment.
Hailey Contreras is a freshman at Southwest High School and really likes anime.