Don’t misunderstand me; I think Lent is one of the most beautiful and deeply touching times of the Church year. But celebrating Lent is going on a spiritual diet and, just like a physical diet, the “no pain, no gain” rule applies. During this time, we are meant to unite ourselves to the suff e r i ngs of Christ on the cross and distance ourselves from worldly goods and desires through sacrifice. Usually, one makes a resolution to give up something good and enjoyable but unnecessary for the spiritual life or perhaps promises to pray more or read more spiritual literature.

I, and many young Catholics, have trouble even coming up with a good sacrifice for this season. My Lenten practices cannot be so difficult that they are impossible to sustain for 40 days, and they can’t be so easy that they don’t make a significant difference in my life. The penance also must not interfere with school or other obligations.

My parents suggested I offer up “the computer” for Lent. However, for those of us in school this is not always the most practical suggestion; computers have become a necessary tool for researching, communicating and other homework assignments. And giving up social networking, like Facebook, may not always work since students often find themselves using these, rather than e-mail, as a method of communication to discuss important school-related questions with one another. In this case, it is necessary to narrow the suggestion to something much more tailored, such as abstaining from recreational social networking.

Lent is an excellent time to root out those growing attachments to the things that distract us from our heavenly goal, which so often, unnoticed or ignored, weave themselves into the fabric of our lives. There is a sense of peace and satisfaction that comes with realizing, at the end of Lent, that not only is the feeling of need for what one gave up no longer present, but the desire for it has gone as well.

Separating oneself from worldly attachments becomes one of the greatest freedoms. Through sacrifice, that which distracts from an intimate relationship with God is removed, and we can draw closer to Him unhindered by a desire for material goods. Our chances of losing our way on the road to heaven wonderfully lessen when we pick up our crosses and follow in the path of our Lord, allowing Him to lead the way to our redemption.

(Nundal, 16, is a student at Traditional Learning Academy in Coquitlam, B.C.)