Asking the clergy about Lent sacrifices

How do Lenten sacrifices bring one closer to God?

Father Edward J. Kealey, St. Sylvester's Catholic Church, Medford:

Sacrifice is one of the oldest customs in religion. During Lent, it is designed to reconcile one's personal experiences with other people in need and in God's own experiences in life when he was crucified.

It is not so much the pain of giving something up, but to not be caught up in material things all the time.

I think it is good to keep your decisions of sacrifice between you and God. You don't want to make it a competition. It should be a time for reflection. There always should be an inner purpose. You don't just do it for its own sake. Through the process, you want to be less attached to material things.

It is not just in the action, but in the way you look at life and feel the presence of God in your life and in reaching out to another. That is the powerful thing in the sacrifice.

The Rev. Dianne Rodriguez, First Parish Church, United Church of Christ, Northville:

Sacrifice should not be an end in itself. It is a way of dismantling your false ego and bringing you closer to God. It should be a time of introspection.

We should ask ourselves if we're placing things in our lives that we don't need, things that are distractions. Are there things we're using to replace an emptiness that should be filled by God. The prideful part of us may believe that we need these outside things in order to be loved by God or loved by others.

A lot of people give up something just to say they gave up something. That also isn't correct. Nor is the giving up of something the only way of sacrificing. Maybe you talk too much. Perhaps during Lent, you strive to talk less and listen more. Maybe you know that you spend too much time on the Internet, and you need to cut down on that to spend more time with others and on introspection.

Sacrifice should be a very personal thing and shouldn't be done as an end in itself. It is a vehicle to bring you closer to God.

Father Frank Pizzarelli, Hope House Ministries, Port Jefferson:

The sacrifices of Lent will bring us closer to God if they are "other" directed, meaning my sacrifice should be focused on others, denying myself for the sake of another. During Lent, we should use our time and talent to benefit others in need, especially when you feel that you have no time to give. Let your focus be the Christ that lives in others, especially the poor and wounded among us.

The Rev. Marc Herbst, Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church, Syosset:

The Lutheran heritage adheres to the teachings of Martin Luther, who proclaimed that through the waters and words of Baptism, believers become "little Christs." Christ lives within us through the grace of God. During this Lenten season, the faithful are encouraged to focus on the living Christ that resides within each of us.

I think most people make the sacrifices with good intention. But, rather than just denying yourself, I think it is more productive to help others. To focus on the godliness and good works the Lord provides is more meaningful than just to refrain from some activity. For example, feeding the poor rather than just not eating ice cream.

I'm not putting anyone down for making a sacrifice. But, as an alternative, using the energy to help others might just be a better use of your time.

During Lent, the Lord is asking us to refocus and prepare for the time of the resurrection. How do you focus your energies and spirituality? If you're going to make an individual choice of self sacrifice and it helps bring you closer to God, "Thank the Lord." But, that's not the only path. Maybe the path is to help provide for those who don't have the same access to those things we do.