Practical thoughts on celebrating the Lenten season that is upon us
By Bishop Mark Beckman
Lent is the time each year when we are immersed more deeply in the mystery of Jesus Christ. During the course of the year, it is easy to lose track of what being a Christian is really all about. We can so often become absorbed in our daily cares and work that we forget who we are called by God to be.
Lent is the time of year when we are asked to renew deeply the promises we made in our baptism and to grow in our commitment to Christ. It also is a special time of year for those who are in the final stages of preparing for the Easter sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and Eucharist.
We begin with Ash Wednesday, marked in ashes in the form of a cross, a sign of our failure to live up to the noble commitments of our baptism, and of renewed hope that the cross of Christ will draw us back to our noble dignity as God’s beloved sons and daughters.
The 40 Days of Lent remind us of the purifying flood of Noah that cleansed the earth of sin and prepared for a new creation; of the 40 years in the wilderness when the people were prepared through trials and testings for entrance into the promised land, a land flowing with milk and honey; of the 40 days in the desert when Christ fasted and prayed for us, resisting temptations of this world and embracing His vocation as Son of God.
Lent draws us onward in our Christian journey to the great Triduum—“Three Days” of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday: the annual celebration of the saving death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Church bids us to turn to fasting (letting go of what we do not really need), prayer, and almsgiving (acts of compassion and service for others) during this holy season. May the Lord renew us during these days with His saving power!
Celebrating Lent: some practical thoughts
Catholics so often grew up as children giving up sweets for Lent. Here are some suggestions adults might consider:
Prayer
How about:
- Turning off the radio in the car when alone and pray a rosary?
- Taking time each morning to ask God’s blessing on the day and offering the day to God?
- Taking time at night to ask God’s forgiveness for our failures that day and thank Him for the blessings of the day?
- Praying for our enemies, those we are having a hard time with, those we struggle with—praying that they might enjoy the peace and happiness we long to have for ourselves?
- Taking time to sit in silent stillness to simply be with and listen to God?
Fasting
How about:
- Leaving a meal with just a little hunger left?
- Letting go of some (or even all!) of the unnecessary time we spend on devices?
- Driving without a radio?
- Using some of the “free time” we have for taking a thoughtful walk, or reading a good spiritual book (or even one of the Gospels)?
- Abstaining from excessive shopping?
- Avoiding gossip, negative thinking, criticism of others, and attitudes that bind us up (like fear, hurt, anger, and resentment)?
- Letting go of a negative or destructive habit?
Almsgiving
How about:
- Baking something for a friend, neighbor, or family member?
- Doing something around the house or office that isn’t “my responsibility?”
- Picking up the phone to call a friend, or to send a message of thoughtfulness?
- Taking time for the important people in our lives?
- Visiting a nursing home or soup kitchen, or helping with some service project?
- Contributing to a worthy cause (like the rice bowls of Catholic Relief Services)?
- Really listening to those around us?
May God bless our Lenten beginnings with great spiritual fruitfulness that we may be well prepared to celebrate the joy of Easter!
