A couple of years ago as I was embarking on a process to grow deeper in my faith, I began to ask myself, “Am I doing Lent the right way?” After thinking about how I had approached the season of Lent in the past, I realized that I tended to focus my attention on what I was giving up rather than what I was receiving. Many of us associate Lent with the act of giving something up, which is an important practice that helps us understand how we should approach these 40 days, but the season of Lent is so much more.
In accordance with Jesus’s teaching in Matthew’s Gospel, the Church calls us to participate fully in the season of Lent through prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Praying daily helps bring us closer to God and strengthens our relationship with Him. If we are already praying each day, we can work to increase our time with the Lord by praying the Rosary, spending time in front of the blessed sacrament or reading scriptures. Growing our relationship with God requires spending time with Him. I know it seems like we never have enough hours in the day, but by setting aside some of our time for prayer, we will gain a closer relationship with God.
Fasting, most commonly observed through the act of giving something up, helps to put our true needs in perspective and to make room for God in our lives. We are reminded of Jesus fasting for 40 days in the desert and of his words, “Man does not live by bread alone.” When we fast, whether it is from food or a specific act that has consumed too large of a role in our lives, we remind ourselves that we do not need to indulge all our bodily and worldly desires. By telling ourselves no when our body or mind tell us we want something, we teach ourselves self-discipline. Not succumbing to a pleasure or indulgence that we desire helps us gain the strength to fight future temptations and allows room for God to take priority in our lives.
Giving alms, which can take the form of giving money, food, or other goods to those in need as well as performing acts of charity, is an essential aspect of the Christian life and allows us to imitate God’s love and show compassion to our fellow brothers and sisters. St. Thomas Aquinas said, “The habit of charity extends not only to the love of God, but also the love of our neighbor.” To be a disciple of Christ means to live a life of charity. We can extend this concept further to include offering emotional and spiritual support to our friends and family and giving of our time to help someone in need. Freely giving of our time, talent and treasure allows us to live a life of charity and by doing so we offer an expression of God’s love.
Lent is also a time for individual self-examination, reflection, and spiritual renewal. Living as the Church advises us to do during Lent provides us with a clear picture of the aspects of our lives where we need to focus our attention. We can then use that knowledge to create a roadmap for finding our way back to God in the areas where we have wandered off course. We should ask ourselves… Am I following the path that God has planned for me? Am I living my life according to the teachings and example of Jesus Christ? What changes do I need to make in my life to grow closer to God?
Finally, Lent is a time for repentance of our sins. We are all sinners but maybe we have also let certain sins control or takeover our lives. No matter where we find ourselves on the spectrum, Lent is a time to turn away from our sins and grow closer to God. As Catholics, we do this through going to confession, which is not only fundamental but a beautiful aspect of our faith. The act of Reconciliation is something that we should do frequently, but we should especially set aside time during Lent. While some may be scared, intimidated, or see it as a burden, when we confess our sins, we are not only assured of God’s forgiveness, but we are also receiving a wonderful gift.
From his message for Lent in 2003, Pope John Paul II stated, “Lent is a season of intense prayer, fasting and concern for those in need. It offers all Christians an opportunity to prepare for Easter by serious discernment about their lives, with particular attention to the word of God which enlightens the daily journey of all who believe.”
For those of us with children, it is important for us to talk to them about the meaning of the season and to remind them of why we focus our attention on certain practices. Actions speak louder than words, so it is essential for them to not only hear us talk, but to also witness us living what we preach. Family prayer time or performing acts of charity together are productive ways to guide them along this path of spiritual preparation. Instilling these practices now, will better equip them to navigate their own faith journey.
As we near the completion of this first week of Lent, let us contemplate the three pillars of the season and focus our attention on what we are receiving rather than dwelling on what we are giving up. Let us also approach this time with an open heart, a heart that is open to God’s love and the wonderful gifts that await us, and a reflective mind, a mind that is willing to do the difficult work of self-examination and implementing the necessary changes to grow our relationship with God and to put Him first in our lives. During these 40 days of Lent we are not only preparing to celebrate the Paschal Mystery during Holy Week and the joy of the Risen Lord on Easter Sunday, but we are also preparing ourselves to live a life here on earth that is devoted to God and the teachings of His son, Jesus Christ, so that we may one day share in the glory of Heaven.
Have a blessed and peaceful Lenten season!!!