Guide to Lent 2018
Lent
What a wonderful time of the year to step back and take stock of our lives. Some people do this on New Year’s Day and make resolutions that usually last only a few weeks and they are rarely spiritual in nature. As Catholics the practice of Lent has been a part of our lives, for most of us, since childhood. It is in our bones, it is part of our identity.
There is an age-old question associated with Lent: “What are you giving up for Lent?” Perhaps we can put a more positive spin on Lent this year and think of it in terms of “What are you doing for Lent?”
Lent is a time of grace when we strive to deepen our relationship to Christ and to grow in holiness, drawing closer to God by our thoughts, words and actions.
What positive steps are you going to take during Lent to improve your relationship with God, with others and yourself? Consider doing something positive each day and at the end of each day take a few minutes to reflect. You might even consider keeping a spiritual diary to keep track of your own spiritual growth throughout Lent. Simply writing down each night a positive thing you did that made the day more sacred?
What will the next 40 days of Lent bring? Will it be a time of grace, a time of spiritual growth? 40 days from now, what will you be celebrating on Easter?
This brochure offers a number of opportunities for you to consider as you walk step-by-step along your journey from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday.
Here are also a few other positive steps you might consider doing throughout Lent:
- Spend quality time:
- with a friend without the distractions of screens
- with your family – plan a special event together
- call someone you have not talked to in awhile
- with God – go on a retreat, spend a few minutes each day in prayer, reflection, reading scripture
- find balance in your daily life between work and play
- Take care of your physical well-being:
- eat food that is good for you
- exercise
- limit alcohol consumption
- get 7- 8 hours of sleep per night
- Make the world a better place:
- take the time to compliment someone
- instead of criticizing, make positive comments about someone
- forgive someone, forgive yourself each day be grateful for something or someone
- donate your time, talent and/or treasure