The Season of Lent

Dear friends in Christ,

It is hard to believe that next Wednesday (in nine days) is Ash Wednesday, thus marking the beginning of the penitential season of Lent. I can attest that it really is a sign of getting older when the days and months just fly by, because it just seemed like yesterday when we were celebrating Ash Wednesday, and now it is here again.

Lent is 40 days long, signifying the time that Jesus spent in the desert in the Gospels. Jesus went into the desert to pray and fast, and this is what we do in Lent. We are preparing for the death of Christ that happens on Good Friday, and we await the gift of the Resurrection that we receive on Easter Sunday, the high liturgical feast of the Church for the entire year. Easter is a sign of our redemption through Christ Jesus, and Lent is our spiritual preparation for that gift.

I bring this up today, in advance, of Ash Wednesday because we also must spiritually and physically prepare for Lent. The most practical preparation we do in anticipation of Lent are penances for the season. As kids, we were always encouraged to give up chocolate, or soda, or some kind of food or drink as a way of self-emptying, or kenosis. In the life of Christ, we continually try self-emptying ourselves for the sake our redemption. Christ self emptied himself on the Cross; we are asked to do the same in order to be Christ like.

So Lent is a time set aside in the liturgical calendar for the spiritual preparation. What do we give up? A better question is: what do we take up?

A story: In my travels and experiences the last few years, I have come to meet probably over 100 different priests, mostly in Maryland and Pennsylvania. One priest I met in Maryland tells this story: When he was in his 20's, he was a wild party animal. He would drink to excess, and party like it was the end of the world. He was crazy. He was also a fallen away Catholic, and he didn't go to Church on a regular basis. As a joke, his friend bet him that for Lent he couldn't go to daily Mass every day for the season. To prove him wrong, he took the challenge and starting going to daily Mass.

After a little while he noticed his entire life transformed, and the things which were important to him before were no longer that important. After Lent ended, he continued going to daily Mass, continuing to be transformed by the Holy Spirit. Pretty soon he went into the seminary because he heard the call to become a priest, and he is now a Catholic priest in Maryland.

The question for you: we have the season of Lent to help us spiritually grow, by the grace of God. Are you willing to take up a penance or practice for Lent that can potentially change your life? We are all striving to be Christ like, and the practice you take up in Lent is supposed to have that as its end. If you do something for Lent like not eating chocolate, but it is for the purpose of losing weight, then that isn't a suitable practice. Give it up for Lent so that it can spiritually edify you.

But I go back to the question: Are you willing to change your life for Christ? If your answer to this is "yes", which I sincerely hope it is, here are some suggestions for penances:
1. Daily Mass- the Mass is the greatest form of prayer and praise in the Church, so availing yourself of this every day will bring you much fruit.
2. Daily Rosary- talking to Mary, and asking her to pray for us will bring you many graces, and The Rosary has been known to change lives.
3. Daily personal prayer: Praying for 15 minutes in silence every day can take you far.
4. Give up all meats- Fridays are mandatory for most people, but by giving up meat completely, you will be taking a huge sacrifice on your shoulders, and it will reap many spiritual benefits.

Do not be afraid to take on a hard penance. God will give you the graces necessary for you to do it. Be not afraid of failure. These above ideas are not easy, nor should they be. They should be hard, and the harder they are, the more graces that will be given to you. Do not be afraid. Have courage to do the extraordinary.

There are three main components of Lent. Today I talked about the general idea about giving things up. In the next few days look for posts of these three main components, which are prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

May the Divine assistance remain always with us, and may the souls of all the faithful departed, through the Mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

May you remain close to the Sacred Heart of Jesus through the Immaculate Heart of Mary.