Sundays During Lent?

[BlondewithaBrain]

I've been hearing a lot of different answers..so i figured I'd ask for your thoughts..Can you eat/drink/do the thing you gave up for Lent on Sundays? What's the church's teachings on this? Thanks!

[Theologian in Training]

I don't know that there is official Church teaching on this as such, but The Sundays during Lent are not included in the 40 days of Lent because that is the day of the Resurrection.

So, to answer your question, technically you could eat/drink/do what you gave up for Lent, but on the disciplinary level I would think it more sacrificial and Lenten to wait the entire 40 days.

God Bless

[Carson Weber]

But if Sundays aren't a part of the forty days, then not fasting during the Sundays will not mean that the Christian hasn't waited the forty days.

[Adeodatus]

These Sundays are called Sundays "in" Lent, but they are not "of" Lent, if you see what I mean. Sundays can never be days of fasting and penitence, because it is the Day of the Lord. And they're not counted as part of the 40 days.

This is not a 'get out clause', but I do think it's a good idea on a Sunday to have a little of what you've given up for Lent. That way you keep spiritual pride that little bit further. You'll be less tempted to think, 'I gave up such-and-such for 40 days...and then some!' That way you emphasise that we do all this penitence by grace and not by our own efforts solely. And by having it on Sundays, you emphasise the great joy of the Resurrection on Sunday (like Ezra tells the crowds, don't weep or fast etc. but celebrate for this day is holy to the Lord).

By the way, this only applies to the good things we give up for Lent. The bad things, like gossipping etc, we should give up all year round........including Sundays!