The Catholic tradition of giving up something for Lent is ancient of days and ingrained societally and culturally – many people I know give up something for Lent without having darkened the door of a church in ages. Regardless, it’s a great practice in sacrifice for all of us.

One quirk of the practice that I have noticed is that many people get hung up on the logistics of it. What happens if I eat meat on a Friday? (Hit by a bolt of lightning, I assure them.) What if a situation arises where I’m forced into something I gave up? (Again, bolt of lightning, for sure.) Can I indulge in it on Sunday because of some strange Catholic loophole? (Watch out, lightning incoming!) Sarcasm aside, I often find myself assuring others that Lenten sacrifice is not about getting it exactly right, but the sacrificial act of trying.

In today’s readings, God makes the same message clear: in Hosea, the Lord reminds us that what is desired is love, not sacrifice; and in the Gospel of Luke, the humble tax collector is justified over the obnoxiously, publicly pious Pharisee. The latter reading reminds us today of the peril of worrying too much about executing our Lenten sacrifice to the letter. It is not meant to be some sort of personal challenge to conquer like a New Year’s resolution, but instead should be a practice that draws us deeper into Christ’s suffering and the heart of a God who loved us enough to sacrifice God’s own Son. Reflecting on our own sinfulness and the abundant mercy of God that washes over us is the true Lenten practice to attend to – not simply giving up chocolate or acing Friday abstinence from meat.