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Gearing up for Lent: A Time to Work on Our “Spiritual Game” and Put God First
Lent is right around the corner — and if it’s taking you by surprise, you’re not alone. It can be difficult to prepare for the rigors of Lent. Taking time to prayerfully discern what to give up, where to give alms, and where to add prayer into your life is a great start. If you’re looking to go deeper, opportunities abound at the parish to enter into this season of penance and preparation.
Fr. Pat sees this preparation as a sort of spiritual training session.
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“Lent is like spring training in baseball,” Fr. Pat says. “It can be a time of fun and enjoyment, but we have to put in the work. It is a time for individuals to work on their game, but also to gel as a team with other Christians. Focus on strengthening a particular liability or weakness with a corresponding virtue.”
Beginning with Ash Wednesday — on Feb. 22 this year — Lent is a time set apart. It calls us to publicly and wholly choose God first.
“It is always a great witness to be out and about with ashes on our foreheads on Ash Wednesday,” Fr. Pat says. “It reminds people that this is a special time.”
Lent invites us to reevaluate our relationship with the world and to ensure that our relationship with God takes precedence. It’s uncomfortable, but that’s when growth happens. The Church gives us the three pillars of Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving to guide us. Making a Holy Hour, praying a daily Rosary, and praying with Scripture are great options. While we are given days of fasting and abstinence, we can take our Lenten fasting further.
“Consider fasting from technology, gossip or criticism, unhealthy eating, or anything that is not good for us,” Fr. Pat says.
While you can find many places to give alms, our parish will be offering Operation Rice Bowl to benefit Catholic Relief Services which is a way to get the whole family involved in almsgiving.
Making a good Confession is a way to start fresh, receive incredible graces, and find strength for the discipline of Lent. Whether it’s been six months or 20 years since your last Confession, God is waiting eagerly for you with His boundless mercy. In addition to normal Confession times, we will be offering a Penance Service. Details can be found in the bulletin or on the parish website.
To enter more deeply into the Passion of our Lord, consider coming to Stations of the Cross on Fridays at 7 p.m. Walking with our Lord through His sufferings will draw you into the reality of his Passion and the depth of His love for you.
Lent is a challenge, but the fruits are bold and lasting. It’s never too late to get back on track if your Lenten journey takes a detour.
“Each day must be a day where we strive to grow in spiritual strength and holiness,” Fr. Pat says.
