Lent time of personal sacrifice, spiritual gain

For some churches, this coming Wednesday marks the start of 40 days of spiritual reflection and fostering a close relationship with God.

This time of reflection, known as Lent, is symbolic of the 40 days Jesus spend in the wilderness to prepare for ministry, church officials said.

This means giving up something one may consider enjoyable during this time period.

"Each individual is encouraged to do some spiritual practices of some sort," said the Rev. Fernando Saenz of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Clovis.

"It's a time of tradition and of purification," said Parish Secretary Xavier Mora of St. Helen Catholic Church in Portales. "It's really a time of growth."

"What we in the Protestant tradition think is that Lent is a time of preparation," said Pastor Jeb Archey of First United Methodist in Clovis. "For some people that means examination. They recognize they need to give up something that is either taking up too much of their time or they can fast from.

"They're giving up something during the course of the day that they might have partaken and they instead take the moment to focus on why they've given it up."

Saenz said it is a time for individuals to make sacrifices to grow more aware of one's relationship with God, emphasizing things that strengthen one's relationship and focusing less on what won't.

For example, if one struggles with prayer, Saenz said, one could pray at least 20 minutes a day or go to church other than on Sundays.

Another example is replacing time watching television with time reading the Bible or a spiritual piece of literature, he added.

Scott Blazek, retired pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Clovis, said other sacrifices include giving up smaller indulgences.

"When you get that urge it reminds you we're in the season of Lent," said Blazek. "It's a gesture to keep our eyes on the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross."

Blazek said he is giving up coffee and sweets during the 40 days.

"You customize it for your own self and what's meaningful for you," said Blazek.

Mora said he will limit beverages to water including avoiding coffee as a personal treat while adding one hour of prayer and meditation.

"When you have an urge, you're reminding yourself as a sense of self-denial and you elevate your presence to a higher plane," said Mora. "You are in control of that inclination. It's just a reminder and spiritual exercise, to remind yourself there are more important things. It's not just about giving up something but adding something beneficial."