Our Guide for Lent
The Lenten season is among us, this time to meant to lead us to a deeper and closer relationship with Christ.
What do you and your family do for Lent? Do you give up something; fast on Fridays? Do you spend more time in prayer? Do you go to Liturgy more often? Are these actions you take during the 40 days but go back to normal routine after Easter? There are many ways to celebrate Lent and observe the season.
The meaning and reason for Lent is to bring us closer to God, which means we should aim to get rid of sin from our lives, and not just during Lent.
If you focus on giving up something, then follow through and give it up for good. Set aside some time for prayer to calmly and deeply look at your life. What sins do you confess the most? This is where you should focus your energy. Then, give yourself a concrete and reasonable goal during Lent, something that will help you battle these particular sins, even after lent.
Giving something up is not necessarily the only way to look at this time. Consider adding good habits, like praying the rosary, reading scripture every day, visiting church frequently and even donating or helping the less fortunate. Bring your family together to do these things. Take this time to form a habit to pray together, and focus on how to help your loved ones get closer to God.
If you need some ideas, we have compiled a list for you. We encourage including your family and children, and continue these habits throughout the year.
- Read the Sunday Scripture before Liturgy to familiarize yourself with the readings.
- Focus on a new habit — 40 days of writing in a journal, 40 acts of kindness, 40 phone calls to people in your life.
- Forgive everyone, and ask for forgiveness.
- Read a book of daily reflections, or you can check out this website. https://mycatholic.life/books/40-days-at-the-foot-of-the-cross/
- Volunteer at least one weekend or weeknight; visit the elderly or serve meals.
- Make a commitment to fast from gossip and cruel comments about others.
- Everyday, pray for someone in need, whether it’s someone you see on the street, or someone you know who is spiritually lost, or sick. Encourage your children to participate by praying for someone they choose.
- Get to know your neighbors, send a home cooked meal to an elderly person, or a family to doesn’t eat home cooked meals often.
- Go to Confession and receive Communion.
- Read the “The Ladder of Devine Ascent” by John Climacus, recommended by Monsignor Peter Waslo, who called it the classic text of spirituality during the Great Fast for Eastern Christian, it may be used for daily reflections during this time.