Lenten Story

[fhansen]

I’d like to tell a little Lenten story. This year I gave up ALL FOUR of the four major food groups: salami, cheese, potato chips, and ice cream. I had done this same thing in past years but what amazed me this time was how easy it was-and I’m not one who’s resisted temptation so easily in the past although I have had this same experience of grace during Lent -just not as intensely as this time. And I figured I’d just continue to eat with this same new-founded discipline after Lent was over but, much to my disappointment, it wasn’t so easy and not long after Lent I returned to my old habits-except multiplied this time and I even started gaining weight. Finally, several weeks after Easter I said, “I don’t want to be this way anymore”- running to one pleasurable experience or another every time something goes wrong or I just get bored. And I prayed about it and determined to say no and the Lenten grace started working …in *ordinary *time. I had to exert somewhat more effort than I had during Lent, where it had been virtually effortless, but God gave me just enough help to start ****resisting and I began cutting out even more unhealthy foods and eating habits as well. The four foods I had given up originally aren’t so terrible; they’re just ones I had the least control over. Anyway, this experience truly amazed me and demonstrated anew the way grace works, drawing but not pushing, changing us little by little if we’re willing. Anyone else have a Lenten or grace story to share?

 

[Trishie]

Yes.
"…during Ash Wednesday Mass in 1980, A young Capuchin priest introduced his homily with the words, “Lent is a time for new beginnings. Easter is the time for fulfilment of God’s promises. And God fulfils all of His promises.” I felt a surge of excitement. “You fulfil all of Your promises, Lord God!”

From that time, it became my custom to unite in daily Eucharist. As “source and summit” of Christian life, the Eucharist is the eternal redemptive act of God. It is the praise, thanksgiving and intercession of the whole Mystical Body. Thus, my main avenue of prayer for family, for priests and all souls, is the united prayer of God and all God’s family, God’s holy Eucharist."

I lazily copied that from the intro in my journal.
Basically, that Ash Wednesday/Lent was a life-changer.
I fasted, and prayed also during that Lent and became convicted that God particularly wished me to pray for priests as well as souls. It has been a lasting conviction.

Trishie