Remember that Lent begins this week on Ash Wednesday. Resolve now to make a good Lent.
Each year the Church holds a 40 day spiritual retreat. We are asked to examine our lives and to change what needs changing. The first and most important meaning of Lent is repentance, to turn away from sin and turn to God.
Unfortunately, some of us may find ourselves half way through Lent—or even at the end of Lent--having done nothing. This year, let’s start at the beginning of Lent to turn to God. I urge you to attend Mass or at least a liturgy of the Word on Ash Wednesday at Saint John’s and be marked with ashes. Here are some other things that you may consider doing for Lent:
- Make a good confession. Perhaps it has been a long time since you have been to the sacrament of Reconciliation. Confess your sins this Lent.
- Attend daily Mass as often as you can during Lent.
- Set aside time each day to read the Bible, especially the four Gospels.
- Make time each day for prayer.
- Fast. Give up something you enjoy like chocolate, alcohol, meat or TV. Giving up TV and YouTube is especially good.
- Give to the poor and the church. Support those Catholic agencies which help the poor, like Saint John’s Hospice, Catholic Charities and Catholic Relief Services. And help Saint John Church.
- Reconcile with someone with whom you are estranged.
- Visit people who are sick or alone.
All Catholics are obliged to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. This means to eat only one full meal and not to eat between meals. And we are all obliged to abstain from meat on all Fridays during Lent and on Ash Wednesday. The elderly and the sick are, of course, exempted from fasting and abstinence.
