Here's the simple answer. If you don't count Sundays, there are 40 days between Ash Wednesday and Holy Saturday. 40 days is how long Jesus spent fasting in the desert. He gave up pretty much everything during those 40 days. We commemorate that when we give up something for our Lenten fast. i.e., we give up a worldly pleasure because Jesus gave up worldly pleasures during his time in the desert.
And if you don't like simple, here are some more insights into this worthwhile tradition.
Instead of giving up some arbitrary worldly pleasure, you could try giving up something that puts distance between you and God. In other words, use Lent as a time to get closer to God by removing obstacles that keep you from living out your faith.
Giving up something can also be a humbling experience. During Lent, when you want some of whatever you gave up, you can remind yourself that there are poor people out there who have involuntarily given up many things, and realize how full of blessings your life is.
If this sounds like asceticism, it's because it is! Ascetics keep the poor in mind by detaching themselves from as much stuff as they can, with the goal of having so little stuff in their life that there's more room for God. Along these lines, this is also why some people add spiritual exercises to their life during Lent instead of giving up something: the more space you give God in your life, the less space there is for worldly distractions.
One final thought: the timing of Lent. Giving up something for Lent is a penitential act, i.e., a way to repent of our sins. This is an appropriate way to prepare for Easter because Easter is when we commemorate Christ's resurrection. However, His crucifixion preceded His resurrection. When we repent of our sins, we recognize our role in His crucifixion. His crucifixion is what forgives those sins, and that makes our joy complete on Easter morning.
All this makes Lent an ideal time to remember Jesus's words: "repent, and believe in the Gospel!"
Further reading:
- Paul VI, On Fast and Abstinence, Paenitemini
- Catholic Online's FAQ about Lent
- Churchyear.net's All About Lent"
- Spirit Home describes Lent. This may not be a Catholic site
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