How seriously are we taking Lent?

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Since the Church “exists to evangelize” as taught by Pope Paul VI in his Encyclical on “Evangelization in the Modern World”, I’m wondering how many of us are living this Lent “seriously”, i.e. in a manner that “teaches” Jesus, that brings Jesus to others by the way we live and speak.

Are we like Mary our Mother, humbly saying “yes” to God’s Will in our lives? Are we carrying Jesus wherever we go, by the power of the Holy Spirit? Are we listening for the Truth the Holy Spirit was sent to bring us, or are we forever touting our own ideas and opinions on just about everything the world has to say?

Again and again I need to ask myself, “Whom have I chosen for my Master?” Whom am I serving – because I can only serve one master – am I building the City of God or the city of man?

Our recent Popes have called Mary, the “Star of the New Evangelization”. Anyone who is on the 33 day journey toward (praying for the first time or renewing) Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary on Mar. 25 is beginning Wk 2, Day 1 today, which seeks a better understanding of Mary. I invite anyone who has never read St. Louis de Montfort’s treatise (once or more than once) to join us. I consecrated myself as a teenager and read “True Devotion” later as an adult. God knows each person’s need and special times to say “Yes”.

St. John Paul II wrote that his reading of De Montfort’s “True Devotion” was a turning point in his life – maybe it can be a turning point for some, in this Lenten observance of 2017. It is also the 100th Anniversary Year of Mary’s Apparitions at Fatima. The three little shepherd children were willing to pray and sacrifice themselves…are we?

 

[Michael_Mayo]

I take it very seriously but instead of focusing on eating fish on Friday and giving up some favorite food I am trying to change behaviors that I can sustain after Lent, especially patience and generosity.

 

[tawny]

I take it very seriously but instead of focusing on eating fish on Friday and giving up some favorite food I am trying to change behaviors that I can sustain after Lent, especially patience and generosity.

Amen.
I heard a Priest’s homily a few years back that said just the same thing. He said instead of focusing on what we give up; certain things etc. (although we need to maintain the abstinence of meat & the fasting if applicable); we should focus on what we can “DO & CHANGE ABOUT OURSELVES” for & during Lent. And to carry those changes forth beyond Lent.
Gave me a new insight on how to conduct my Lenten activities.

 

[the_phoenix]

I am in fact giving up chocolate … it’s a discipline, and at this point in my life, chocolate is better off avoided for the sake of my health. Such that, if I don’t give chocolate up for Lent, I’m likely to eat it every day. It’s said that grace builds on nature. So it may not be an imaginative or heroic penance, but it is in fact helpful in my case.

As well, the giving up chocolate is a fallback, because I also want to improve on keeping my apartment clean and tidy. Given my schedule, that can be a challenge.

 

[Melodeonist]

Not serious enough. I’m fasting from YouTube, which has been easier than I thought. I’ve been having trouble stopping sinning because I don’t think before I do things.

 

[FollowChrist34]

I am trying to read the whole New Testament before Easter. By luck, I woke up early this morning and read Mark. Not my favorite gospel, but I was surprised at how much I liked it this time around. Perhaps I was just thankful I was so into it, on “Lent schedule.” I am in Luke now. Still have a shot…

I take Lent very seriously - for some reason my faith comes alive this time of year. I LOVE it.

 

[MariaChristi]

I am trying to read the whole New Testament before Easter. By luck, I woke up early this morning and read Mark. Not my favorite gospel, but I was surprised at how much I liked it this time around. Perhaps I was just thankful I was so into it, on “Lent schedule.” I am in Luke now. Still have a shot…

I take Lent very seriously - for some reason my faith comes alive this time of year. I LOVE it.

Dear FollowChrist,

Thanks for your reply and for your taking time this Lent for the New Testament. It is so very important to listen to God’s Word. Today’s Gospel account of the Transfiguration of Jesus gives us great impetus: The Father says: “This is My Beloved Son, Listen to Him”.

I hope you will continue to listen to Jesus in Scripture beyond the 40 days of Lent. May it be for all of us a life-long joy to obey our Father and “Listen to Him”,

 

[MariaChristi]

Not serious enough. I’m fasting from YouTube, which has been easier than I thought. I’ve been having trouble stopping sinning because I don’t think before I do things.

Thanks so much, Melodeonist, for your honest reply. Fasting from YouTube can give you time to do good things like: thinking more on what God wants i.e., to avoid sinning; to go to confession; to pray, and to do acts of kindness.

 

[MariaChristi]

I am in fact giving up chocolate … it’s a discipline, and at this point in my life, chocolate is better off avoided for the sake of my health. Such that, if I don’t give chocolate up for Lent, I’m likely to eat it every day. It’s said that grace builds on nature. So it may not be an imaginative or heroic penance, but it is in fact helpful in my case.

As well, the giving up chocolate is a fallback, because I also want to improve on keeping my apartment clean and tidy. Given my schedule, that can be a challenge.

Dear phoenix,

Thanks for your reply. Self-discipline is always a good start. Taking care of the life and health of our bodies is important, but even more important it seems to me is the well-being of the life and health of our souls. Cleanliness of your apartment is another good start on the “exterior” but what about the “interior” of our minds and hearts. How many of us pay enough attention to those important aspects of our supernatural life, given at Baptism?

May God help us all to cleanse the “Temples of our souls”, where God desires to dwell with us.

 

[MariaChristi]

I take it very seriously but instead of focusing on eating fish on Friday and giving up some favorite food I am trying to change behaviors that I can sustain after Lent, especially patience and generosity.

Dear Michael, and tawny,

Thanks so much for your replies, and for taking Lent very seriously. May God give us all the graces to change those things we need to change in order to grow in our likeness to Christ. Patience and generosity are certainly two virtues our world needs to see in greater abundance everywhere! Scripture tells us: “Love is patient, love is kind…” (cf 1 Cor 13)