Sacrifice is only really sacrifice if it leads to love

If you have listened to a Catholic priest's Ash Wednesday homily at least once in your life, you'd get the feeling that people who observe abstinence and fasting "sacrifices" are hypocrites. At least that's how I feel about most of the people around me (my parents are exceptions because I have seen them struggle to observe the Lenten sacrifices' spirit as much as they can).

Abstinence is a voluntary restraint from indulging a desire or appetite for certain bodily activities that are widely experienced as giving pleasure. Most frequently, the term refers to abstention from sexual intercourse, alcohol or food.

Fasting is primarily the act of willingly abstaining from some or all food, drink, or both, for a period of time.

Source: Wikipedia

The reason why Catholics are obligated to abstain from eating meat dates back to Jesus' era when meat was more expensive than any other kind of food and was thus a luxury. The idea behind it is that you're supposed to opt for cheaper meals so that you would have more to give to charity.

What happens today is people avoid meat but keep their saved expenses for themselves -- "naka mura". Some lean towards the worse Lent observers, they stay away from meat but orders their muchachas to buy shrimp and clam and squid, which are even more luxurious options!

Both abstinence and fasting, my misdirected Catholic friends, are rooted on charity. Yes, there is sacrifice involved (if you're doing it right) but sacrifice it not the end, it is only the means in our effort for holiness.

I'm not saying you shouldn't abstain nor fast for Lent, that you should go forth and be merry in our time of penitence, while preparing for the Lord's rebirth... Now if that's not what I'm trying to say and I assume that I have above average intelligent, readers, I now also assume I don't have to spell it all out for you.

May you be aware that you live a blessed life.