Lent will arrive on Wednesday, March 2 whether we’re ready or not. Are you ready?
Can anyone be truly ready? Probably not. But we all have to try the best we can to make the 40 days of Lent impactful in our lives.
For the second consecutive year, the diocese will offer 40 Days of Adoration as part of the Real Presence Real Future initiative. A schedule with dates and locations can be found in this edition of The Catholic Times.
There’s nothing better, besides the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, than to spend time in quiet Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament during Lent. To fix our gaze on Jesus as he prepares to suffer and die on the cross for our sins and to contemplate the agony of his Blessed Mother is so powerful.
Many of our diocesan parishes offer the Stations of the Cross on Friday evenings during Lent – some of them before or after a fish fry or pasta dinner. Meditating on each of the 14 stations in church or at home helps us walk with Christ in prayer on the way to His crucifixion.
Mass, Adoration, confession and prayer. Extra devotion to all four should be part of our spiritual goals during the Lenten season.
There’s also the penitential aspect of Lent. What are you giving up? Or, just as important, what extra works of charity or penance are you doing during these 40 days?
Everyone should try to sacrifice something during Lent – a food you enjoy, social media, television – but maybe this Lent try to go beyond that.
Consider performing a random act of kindness without anyone knowing it. There are all sorts of ways to do this. It could be helping a stranger, or someone in your own family or your own home.
In today’s world, it seems that many people want recognition for doing something noteworthy. “Look at me on social media working at the soup kitchen or volunteering at an event!” Doesn’t that take away from the humility of wanting to do something good for someone?
Humility is one of the great virtues that proves to be so elusive for many of us. Challenge yourself to pray or do those works of mercy in private.
Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto thine.