During this season of Lent, we sometimes pause to consider, “What is the Lord calling me to do?” The 3 pillars of Lent are…
• Prayer
• Fasting
• Giving
In an effort to have a more meaningful and enriching Lenten experience and improve your relationships with God and others, here are some contemporary Lenten pillar practices to consider.
PRAYER:
- Incorporate more prayer in your day by saying a little prayer when someone irritates you
- Spend 10 to 20 minutes in daily meditation or spiritual reading
- Say the Rosary, Chaplet of Divine Mercy, Stations of the Cross or Lectio Divina
- Consider attending Mass more often
- Rejoice in God’s creation
- Emulate a Saint or strive to become more virtuous
FASTING:
Maybe it is time to “fast” from . . .
- Worrying and anxiety
- Complaining and negative attitudes
- Gossiping or judging others
- Being lazy, angry, envious, jealous, or arguing
- Addictions and over indulging in alcohol, food, or tobacco
We could also “fast” as a sacrifice from something that tends to take up much of our time or something that we love to do that is not necessary, such as . . .
- Hours given to television, gaming, or social media
- Shopping for things we don’t need
- Driving when we could walk
- Something that we enjoy, but is not a necessity
GIVING:
You could sacrifice a luxury and give those funds to charity. If you are not able to give a great deal financially to others, you may want to give in other ways such as . . .
- Spending quality time with family or friends
- Encouraging the doubting
- Smiling more
- Visiting someone in a nursing home or who is home bound
- Sharing your time and talents with charities and those in need
- Lifting someone’s spirits
And so with these things in mind, our prayer for this Lent could be . . .
Dear Lord,
Without you I can do nothing. Through your Spirit, help me to know what is right and to find ways to be eager to do your will.
Send your Holy Spirit to make me strong and able to do good works in your name.
Guide me in your gentle ways. Amen.