The question “How is your Lent going?” is not one I would be apt to ask another person directly, but it is one I regularly ask myself.
I usually begin by looking at my life in terms of the pillars of Lent: fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. I appreciate the opportunity Lent provides to remove distractions and “extras” from my life and get back to basics in my diet, in my relationship with God, and in my outward actions toward others.
After the Christmas season, my physical health benefits from removing chocolate and snacks from my days and increasing fish, legumes, and vegetables in my diet. Lent is not intended to be a weight-loss program, but fasting can help us develop reverence for our bodies by focusing more earnestly on healthy choices. Fasting also makes us appreciate the gift of food; as we hunger for physical satisfaction, we are reminded that our souls hunger and thirst for God in a way only he can fill.
Prayer leads us toward filling that hunger and thirst, for communicating with God is essential to our spiritual health. In Lent, we are reminded to increase our prayer habits in ways such as attending Mass more than once per week, visiting the Adoration chapel, praying the Rosary or the Stations of the Cross, or getting out of bed a few minutes earlier than usual to read Scripture, a prayerful reflection, or listen to a religious podcast.
Lent is not a time to decide to make every possible change or to do everything at once, lest we fall flat on our faces before the first week is over. We must pace ourselves by creating attainable goals so that, ideally, once Lent is over, some of our practices remain as permanent habits. It is through these habits that we come to know God in a more intimate — ultimately life-saving — way.
Almsgiving may seem more difficult in our economy, especially since Lent falls during tax season; however, giving to others does not always need to be financial. For many, the money saved by not having extra foods during Lent can be set aside for charity. For others, donating food, clothing, or recyclable containers allows us to think outside ourselves. Even random acts of kindness or extra prayers for others — particularly those who challenge us, or even strangers — allow us to spread God’s love in the world. Knowing God through prayer and sacrificing from our own physical needs through fasting both lead us outward, in keeping with the pillar of almsgiving.
Are these Lenten pillars always easy? No. In fact, Chris Stefanick states, “Lent reminds us that love costs something. Jesus didn’t redeem us from a distance. He entered into sacrifice for our sake. When we fast, pray, and give, we unite our small sacrifices to his perfect love.”
Stefanick’s comment reminds me that the main theme of Lent is just that: love. When I was younger, I dreaded Lent and felt that I “had to” give up my pleasures, my time, my money. I neglected to focus on the relationship I was developing. Now, I recognize the love involved in Lent, and I realize that I “get to” have 40 days to focus on knowing God — and myself — better.
Furthermore, even though Lent is not always easy (improving oneself rarely is), I now realize that Lent can be joyful. On Ash Wednesday, Psalm 51 proclaimed, “Give me back the joy of Your salvation.”
Getting back to basics in this life and growing in love with God leads us to perfect joy, so how can we pass that up? Bishop Barron stated, “With these disciplines [fasting, prayer and almsgiving], Lent won’t become a burden. It will become a season of renewal, clarity and deep joy.”
So, this year when I ask myself how my Lent is going, I aim to answer, “Lent is filled with joy and time spent getting back to basics with the Lord.”
Your voice matters! Join the conversation by submitting a Letter to the Editor here.
