Spring Cleaning: Reboot

“Can you please elaborate and explain the purpose for Lent? Is it even necessary? If so, for whom and why? Why do people flaunt what they're giving up or beginning to do for the 40 day period? Shouldn't we practice 'being good' or striving to do our best every day, and not just a 40 day period?

When I converted from Catholicism to Christianity many years ago, lent was no longer discussed. (Although I never understood it to begin with.) However, I have noticed a few Bible based churches mentioning 'lent'.

With so many people around me during lunch discussing how they can't eat meat on Friday, or they're giving up 'whatever' for lent, how am I supposed to respond? I really just wanna hit them over the head with a Bible and knock some sense into them!! Sorry, I'm sure there is a better approach.”