Black coffee for Lent

I think for Lent, I’m going to try to give up milk in my coffee, and instead to drink my coffee black. Here are some of the reasons why, in no particular order.

• It’s not really a sacrifice. Though I prefer cafe au lait, I don’t really mind drinking black coffee. Therefore, I know I can pull it off. (Giving up coffee completely, now that would be a sacrifice! Ditto for Dewars.)

• It’s simple. “No big whoop,” as the Mike Myers character used to say.

• I won’t really be giving up anything; I’ll just be swapping one drink (cafe au lait) for another (black coffee).

• Black coffee is austere. And austerity is appropriate for Lent.

• Black coffee can have a bitter taste, and bitterness is appropriate for Lent.

• Drinking coffee is something I do every day. So every morning when I taste the black coffee, I’ll be reminded of the season.

• It’s a way to engage the senses in the observation of Lent, in this case the senses of smell and taste. The Christmas season is special to most of us because of the sensory involvement: the smell of Christmas trees, the sound of seasonal music, the sight of the lights and decorations. In New Orleans during Carnival season, we have the sight of the parades, the sound of seasonal music, and the taste of king cake. If I stick to this, I’ll have a special drink (black coffee) that’s reserved for Lent.

Comments

[Aaron]

More acidic as well. The milk cuts the acidity of the coffee, you might be needing to add Tums to your Lenten schedule.