Since Thursday last week, Fr. Benedict has been reminding us of the importance of the season of Lent. During his homily, he urged us once again not to let this season pass without doing anything to make it as meaningful as possible.
We hear it every year: lent is a time for prayer, fasting and abstinence, and almsgiving. But what have we done about it?
It's easy to be tempted to treat these 40 days are just "ordinary" because we encounter them year after year. But Lent is not just a Catholic tradition. It is an opportunity to grow in holiness, be a better person, and grow closer to God.
Fr. Benedict suggested the following to make this Lent truly a season of love:
1. Pray more. Set an alarm for your quality time with the Lord. And commit to really spend that time with Him. If you already have a disciplined prayer time, then pray longer. Spend more time with the One who truly loves you, and who loves you more than any other person can ever love you.
2. Fast and give to charity. Your sacrifice mean nothing if nobody benefited from it. Fast and abstain so that you can bless others. As it has always been said, live simply so others may simply live.
Our dear Tita Eva also posted this on our door. I forgot to ask where she got it, but I think this is a helpful tool especially for struggling Catholics like me.
You can also try this with your family:
Source: Loyola Press |
Source: The Traditional Latin Mass Society of San Francisco |
Here are other helpful links:
40 Crosses
40 Ideas for 40 Days
Lenten Moments of Mercy
7 Ways to Have a Good Lent
25 Simple Offerings to Make this Lent a Time of Growing Closer to Christ
Discipline is key. But more than anything, we need the grace of God to sustain us. We are unfaithful but God is. And that's the beauty and wonder of our faith. We, imperfect sinners, are unconditionally loved by a perfect Father! I couldn't think of a better love story than that. ♥
And this, my friends, is the best VaLENTine gift ever: an ever-growing relationship with the Greater Lover who loved us first and will continue to love us in spite of our unworthiness. ♥
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