Lent is here. It's the time of penance and giving up something we like.
<blockquote>"The traditional purpose of Lent is the penitential preparation of the believer—through <a title="Prayer" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prayer" target="_blank">prayer</a>, <a title="Penance" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penance" target="_blank">penance</a>, <a title="Repentance (theology)" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Repentance_(theology)" target="_blank">repentance</a>, <a title="Almsgiving" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Almsgiving" target="_blank">almsgiving</a>, and <a title="Asceticism" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asceticism" target="_blank">self-denial</a>. Its institutional purpose is heightened in the annual commemoration of <a title="Holy Week" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Week" target="_blank">Holy Week</a>, marking the <a title="Death and Resurrection of Jesus" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_and_Resurrection_of_Jesus" target="_blank">Death and Resurrection of Jesus</a>, which recalls the events of the <a title="Passion (Christianity)" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passion_(Christianity)" target="_blank">Passion of Christ</a> on <a title="Good Friday" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_Friday" target="_blank">Good Friday</a>, which then culminates in the celebration on <a title="Easter Sunday" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easter_Sunday" target="_blank">Easter Sunday</a> of the <a title="The Resurrection of Jesus" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Resurrection_of_Jesus" target="_blank">Resurrection of Jesus Christ</a>.
During Lent, many of the faithful commit to <a title="Fasting" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fasting" target="_blank">fasting</a> or giving up certain types of <a title="Luxury" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luxury" target="_blank">luxury</a> as a form of penitence."
<a title="Lent" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lent" target="_blank">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lent</a></blockquote>
As in previous years, I'll give up some things (<a title="Sin" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sin" target="_blank">sins</a>) I like, which I hope not to do again.

Growing up in&nbsp;<a title="Roman Catholics" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Catholics" target="_blank">Catholic</a> home that didn't observe traditions (<a title="Roman Catholics" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Catholics" target="_blank">Catholic</a> for being born in a&nbsp;<a title="Roman Catholics" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Catholics" target="_blank">Catholic</a> home, inheritance), many of my friends and I would simply ignore Lent and party during <a title="Holy Week" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Week" target="_blank">Holy Week</a>.

Looking back we were stupid, but we didn't know any better. We had no real spiritual guide. Yes, there were priests, but they were part of the Sunday tradition of going to <a title="Mass (liturgy)" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_%28liturgy%29" target="_blank">Mass</a> (immediate <a title="Mortal sin" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mortal_sin" target="_blank">mortal sin</a> if not going on any given Sunday).

Now going to a <a title="Presbyterian" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presbyterian" target="_blank">Presbyterian</a> church, I see many differences. Traditions and rites have a meaning and are not just part of the Sunday obligation of going to church. This for me has been a true experience and a joy to be part of a congregation.