A Lenten Invitation

"Lent invites us, through the traditional practices of the Christian
life, to nourish our faith by careful and extended
listening to the Word of God and by receiving the Sacraments,

and at the same time to grow in charity and in love
for God and neighbor, not least through the specific practices of
fasting, penance, and almsgiving."

 Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, for Lent 2013

Our February discussion on the importance of Lent, led by Nadia P, opened with the above invitation to "nourish our Faith" as we prepare for the joy of Easter.  Nadia skillfully navigated the group through each aspect of Benedict's call - Prayer, Fasting and Abstinence, Penance, and Almsgiving.  We discussed the many forms our daily prayer might take, including saying devotionals such as the Rosary or Angelus, visiting the Blessed Sacrament in our parish's Adoration Chapel, reading and meditating on the Word of God, and blessing our food.  As busy mothers and wives, it is crucial that we carve out time for God, His Word, and Prayer each day.  Nadia reminded us that we need not wait for a consecutive hour or more of silent time to speak with God (although if we are provided with such it is ideal) - we can pray with our children in short increments during the day, we can devote 10 minutes to reading Scripture as we drink our coffee, or we can simply have a conversation with God as we go about our daily chores.

During our discussion of Fasting & Abstinence, which are habits especially honed during Lent but also those which we are called to in spirit throughout the year, we focused on the big picture.  Nadia summarized this well by stating in her presentation, "The more profound sense is fasting from sin, from evil, and being able to reorder our passions in order to achieve reconciliation with oneself.  It is to do things in as much as they bring us close to the Lord, and stop doing them in as much as they distance us from Him."  We teach our children every day (many, many times over) to master themselves and their emotions, to understand what "no" means when it's said out of love, and to care for others as well as themselves -- Lent helps us remember these lessons ourselves.

Equally as important as fasting & abstinence is the concept of penance.  Our group explored how mortification and self-sacrifice help us live in the Lenten spirit each day.  To offer a proper penance, it should come from love (rather than being a reaction to fear and/or a mechanical response to a rule imposed by the Church).  It is about accepting our crosses with humility and joy, and facing the setbacks that are presented to us each day with a purity of spirit.  Bluntly put - "It is living detachment."  Group members offered common ways in which we can achieve such penance, including working harder to give more to others, putting the desires of others before our own, and acting humbly when conflicts arise in our homes.  Surely God doesn't want us to be doormats (they're passive and unresponsive, after all) - Rather, we are called to act as Christ did and do all for the love of the Father and this people.

Our Lenten discussion ended with a reminder that Almsgiving means more than financial contributions to our parish, Diocese, and the like.  Almsgiving springs from fasting, abstinence, and penance -- as we shift our focus away from our selves and toward God, we are instantly directed to love Him through his people.  Material gifts and gifts of the spirit involve us in the salvific work of Christ.  Visiting the sick and elderly, helping a friend or stranger in need, and giving our time to those who need it most are just a few ways in which we can prepare our Hearts for Easter.

Let us keep these benchmarks in mind as we approach the final two weeks of Lent with contrite and joyous hearts!