These e-mail stories that come around are something else, aren't they?

I got this one just last week and really got a kick out of it! An Irishman moves into a tiny village in County Kerry, walks into the pub and promptly orders three beers. The bartender raises his eyebrows, but serves the man three beers, which he drinks quietly at a table, alone.

An hour later, the man has finished the three beers and orders three more. This happens yet again.

The next evening the man again orders and drinks three beers at a time, several times. Soon the entire town is whispering about the “Man Who Orders Three Beers.”

Finally, a week later, the bartender broaches the subject on behalf of the town. “I don't mean to pry, but folks around here are wondering why you always order three beers?”

“'Tis odd, isn't it?” the man replies. “You see, I have two brothers, and one went to America, and the other to Australia. We promised each other that we would always order an extra two beers whenever we drank as a way of keeping up the family bond.”

The bartender and the whole town was pleased with this answer, and soon the “Man Who Orders Three Beers” became a local celebrity and source of pride to the village, even to the extent that out-of-towners would come to watch him drink.

Then, one day the man comes in and orders only two beers. The bartender pours them with a heavy heart. This continues for the rest of the evening: he orders only two beers. The word flies around town. Prayers are offered for the soul of one of the brothers The next day, the bartender says to the man, “Folks around here, me first of all, want to offer condolences to you for the death of your brother. You know — the two beers and all...” The man ponders this for a moment, then replies, “You'll be happy to hear that me two brothers are alive and well. It's just that I, meself, have decided to give up drinkin' for Lent.”

I hope I have not offended anyone. Please forgive me if I have. But here's the point: The “giving-something-up-for-Lent” routine can be a wonderful spiritual discipline OR it can be just a farce, a meaningless outward show that is no sacrifice at all, nothing sacred or spiritual at all.

Maybe there's a better way to keep this ancient sacred ritual. Maybe there is something much more meaningful to “give up” for Lent. See what you think about this list I found and put in my files a long time ago:

Give up grumbling. “In everything give thanks.”

Give up looking at other people's worst points. “Put the best construction on everything.”

Give up speaking unkindly. Let your speech be generous and understanding.

Give up your worries. Trust them with God.

Give up hatred, prejudice or dislike of anyone. “Love one another.”

Give up the fear that prevents Christian witness. Seek the courage to speak of your faith to others.

Give up spending so much time reading newspapers and magazines for a few weeks. Read your Bible.

Give up some specified amount of television. Visit a lonely or sick person.

Give up buying anything but essentials for yourself. Give that money to God's work or someone in need.

Give up judging by appearances and by the world's standards. Learn to give up yourself to God.

What will you give up for Lent?

The Rev. Justin Kollmeyer is senior pastor of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Fayetteville, which invites those without a church home to worship Sundays at 8:15, 9:45, or 11.

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