Beginning Lent: Prayer, Fasting & Almsgiving

Lent is upon us, and the very thought of it can stir such thoughts as: “What should I give up this year?” or “I’ve really fallen away from any semblance of daily prayer. Where do I begin?”

Some may choose to put a more positive spin on Lent by reminding themselves the word “Lent” actually means “springtime,” and as the days get longer and we anticipate flowers blooming, we look forward to the end of Lent already when we can celebrate the glory of Easter and Christ resurrected.

Whatever has been our traditional individual focus for Lent, the Church has always called us to begin this season with penitential hearts, heads bowed and ashes on our brow. It seems right to begin with an awareness of our sinfulness and a profound need for God’s mercy.

During Lent, the Church calls us to three traditional practices: prayer, fasting and almsgiving. These disciplines are not ends in themselves, but rather a means to a deepening of our relationship with God. Ultimately, Lent is a time for renewing our relationship with Christ and a time to open our hearts to the God who desires to be one with us.

Through prayer, we take the time to bask in God’s unconditional love. By our fasting, we strive to put aside those habits and things which distract us or keep us from fully opening our hearts to God. And through our almsgiving we allow ourselves to become instruments of God’s love through our generosity and service to others.

Yes, Lent is upon us again, because day-after-day and year-after-year, our God seeks us out. He never tires of waiting for us to open our hearts to the fullness of life He desires to share with us.