The Joy of Lent

Despite Lent being a time of sacrifice and suffering, Merridith Frediani has decided to pursue the joy that is tucked inside.

Considering Lent as a time of joy seems like an oxymoron. Lent conjures images of solemnity and seriousness. It is a time of sacrifice, even suffering. We are called to increase our prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.

These all roll together to make Lent less a time of joyful anticipation like Advent and more a time of penitence and sobriety. I will admit Lent is not my best time though I find it is a call to get it together, to tidy up what has become messy, and be more intentional about my interior life.

Into that foray, the Church in her wisdom tosses Lent: “Here, in the middle of the winter slog, when you just keep your head down and your feet moving, when you keep going because that’s all there is to do, here is Lent. Be more somber. Make more sacrifices. Fast from something you like. Upset the routine that gets you through the day so you can spend more time with Jesus because at the end of this drudge, Jesus, the One you desire to be close to, is going to die because you’re a sinner. Start this by fasting.”

Jesus wasn’t wrong when He said following Him would be hard.

What to Do?

What to do? Re-tie my shoes and push forward, hoping for the best? Become mired in annoyance because it’s hard? No. This year I’m focusing on the joy of Lent. That oxymoronic idea that Lent is a time to be glad because that’s exactly what it is. Stay with me.

We’re in the basement of winter. It’s still dark a lot, I’m tired of mittens, coats, and layering up to stay warm. It’s been a minute since anything exciting has happened and still a ways away from the return of spring and summer when everything just feels better. But when Easter comes around on April 5, we will be past the worst, and in some lucky parts of the country fully in the rebirth of spring (here in Wisconsin we won’t be there yet).

This is where I see the wisdom of Lent’s position in the calendar. We’re in it right now. We can’t deny that. What we can do is be a people of hope because even though Jesus dies at the end, He does so out of a love we can only imagine. He dies so we can live! Every one of us. No exceptions. Jesus endures terrible pain and agony so we don’t have to. He does it so we can enjoy eternity with Him in Heaven.

Maybe this is the year you (re)watch The Passion of the Christ and keep your eyes open during the awful parts because it’s real. Scourging gets just a mention in the Bible, but it’s a horrific thing designed to bring someone right to the brink of death. Crucifixion is a slow death by asphyxiation. When we add the visual to the hearing, we get a deeper picture of what happened and how significant it was.

We move through Lent, we sacrifice, we pray, and we remember this truth: Jesus died so we may live.

The Joy of Lent

The joy of Lent is that we are loved and saved by our God who did the extraordinary for us.

The joy of Lent is His Resurrection so we may be with Him in eternity.

The joy of Lent is that this winter ends in rebirth. The flowers return, the birds sing, the trees spread their leafy canopies, and we, broken sinners, get to be with God in Heaven.

We aren’t consigned to eternal separation from Him. He desires union with us. We have to keep going with a steady pace and keep our gaze on the Lord. Do the things: Fast, pray, give a little more — not because you have to but because you want to in thanksgiving to Jesus for His sacrifice for you. Then on Easter Sunday, rejoice, sing Alleluia again, and dive into the glorious joy of the Easter season. He died and He rose so we can too.

2026 Fasting Experiment Update:

The first month of fasting from almond butter is done. It wasn’t a challenging fast, but I did feel it when I substituted peanut butter for my pre-workout snack. It’s just not as good, according to my taste buds.

Month two is fasting from music and podcasts. I’m a week in, and it’s a challenge. I miss my playlists on the drive home from work and the podcasts that make me laugh and think. But I’m feeling good about the task and happy to be fasting for someone I love. I shall continue.

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Copyright 2026 Merridith Frediani
Images: Canva