It’s Ash Wednesday and we’re starting another Lenten season; a time for reflection, a time of prayer, a time of fasting and a time of giving. Not everyone’s Lent will look the same. Yes, as Catholics, we are required to give up meat on Ash Wednesday and Fridays during Lent, but the sacrifices we make and the activities we participate in will be influenced by where we are spiritually, physically and emotionally. There isn’t a right or wrong answer to “what will you be doing for Lent”.

Some folks will be blessed with an incredible Lenten experience. Others will struggle to just get through (that was me last year) and still others will have their ups and downs. Don’t be disheartened if things don’t go as you had hoped. Give it to God in prayer. Reflect on His grace and blessings and how to get closer to him. God will meet you where you are. He wants you to grow in His love and mercy. We are given this time to prepare our hearts, souls and minds for the Resurrection of His Son on Easter Sunday.

Fasting

Fasting is typically associated with food or drink. Over the years, that’s the route I took for Lent. I’ve given up soda, meat, potato chips and sweets. At the time, they were staples in my diet so it made sense. Had I only had them on occasion, would it really have been a sacrifice?

Several years ago, I started to look at fasting in a different way. I moved away from “physical” fasting to fasting that provided a more intrinsic value. This year, I am giving up social media and significantly reducing my screen time. The time will be spent resurrecting my blog “Traveling in Faith” (to share my Lenten journey), completing a 1000 piece puzzle of the “The Last Supper” (while reflecting on the Lord’s sacrifice) and visiting several Shrines, Basilicas and churches. It is a jubilee year (with a call to renew ourselves as “Pilgrims of Hope”) what better time to go. No, it’s not Rome or the Holy Land, but we have many beautiful and inspirational sites right here in our area. See the Pilgrimage Sites (USCCB) designated by the USCCB.

With all the chaos in the world, now is the perfect time to refocus and recenter. My mind is tired, clouded and crowded. It needs some quiet time and truthfully, so do I. I have quite a bit to think about: How can I be an answer to someone’s prayer? How can I become closer to God? How am I being called to serve? Am I treating others with the same grace and dignity God provides to me? Do others see Christ in me? Am I grateful for all of the gifts God has given me?

So, what are things outside of food and drink we can fast from?

Social media, video games, binge watching Netflix, buying things you really don’t need, going out to eat on a regular basis, commenting negatively, cruelly or insensitively on social media posts, gossiping or worrying. Challenge yourself to think outside the box. Instead, listen to an inspirational audiobook, a Catholic podcast (e.g. Bible in a Year or Rosary in a Year), subscribe to the Hallow prayer app (there’s currently a free 90 day trial), change your Sirius XM station to the Catholic channel (129) or a Christian music station.

Go to daily mass if this isn’t something you currently do. Many parishes have Lenten missions this time of year, attend and be open to the possibilities. Attend stations of the cross or walk the outdoor stations at a nearby church. Reflect on Jesus’ sacrifice. We all have crosses. Who is helping to carry your cross? When we’ve fallen, have we gotten back up? Remember, Jesus fell three times and we will too. Who can you be a Veronica to? When have you unjustly judged someone?

We are all called to be Saints! And there are patron saints for just about anything you can think of :); gas station workers, the internet, fear of wasps. Learn about a saint you are unfamiliar with. Check out the calendar of saints below to see whose feast day it is. Reflect on their life and what you can do to live a more saintly one.

https://www.catholic.org/saints/sofd.php

http://www.easterbrooks.com/personal/cal_v2/index.php

Make an effort to fill your time (and yourself) with positive, inspirational and thought provoking content.

Prayer

Prayer should already be a regular part of our day so when Lent comes around it’s about expanding that prayer. While there are a series of traditional prayers we have all learned and memorized, prayer doesn’t have to be that formal all the time.

You can pray virtually anywhere! (Carol C. Moore – 2020)

You can pray in a car or in a bed

Out loud or in your head

In the dark or at a park

At a church or swinging from a birch

In a group or on a stoop

In a boat or with a goat

In a house or out an about

By yourself or with someone else

With a rosary or your family

You can pray here or you can pray there,

You can pray virtually anywhere!

During Lent, challenge yourself in how, what, when, where and who you pray for.

Pray for your enemies and those who don’t believe the same as you. Reflect on how much Jesus loves them. Don’t pray for them to change how or what they think or that they will come around to believe the same as you. Pray they will hear the Lord’s words, will be guided by his grace and that you will be open to different points of view. Remember, we are all created in His likeness and image. God loves them as much as he loves you!

Take a walk, notice the simple things: the song of a bird, the warmth of the sun, the sound of the rippling water in the creek, the view of a beautiful sunset. Enjoy the nature and all of God’s creation. Thank God for the beautiful day and for always being there to listen.

Pray an intentional rosary. Yes, all rosary prayers should be intentional, but think of a specific intention for each of the 50 beads of the decades. Don’t think you can come up with 50 things to pray about? Then start with a specific intention per decade/mystery and work your way up.

Go to adoration and spend time with the Lord. It doesn’t have to be an hour. It can be a quick hello, thank you or I need your help. Start small and work your way up! Just sit. Embrace the quiet. Allow your ears to be open to the what God is telling you. This is your one-on-time with your Father. Take advantage of it!

I’m including the link here to perpetual adoration chapels which are part of the Harrisburg Diocese:

https://www.hbgdiocese.org/liturgy-worship-and-prayer/eucharistic-adoration/

And the link below for adoration sites in the Archdiocese of Baltimore:

https://www.archbalt.org/aob-eucharistic-revival/adoration-sites/

Start a prayer journal or create a prayer jar. Write down the things you’ve prayed about. Note the prayers that were answered. At the end of Lent, review it. We all have so much to be grateful for. Reflect on those things that weren’t answered the way you wanted. What were the blessings from that?

Lay a flower at the foot of Our Lady. Thank her for saying “yes” to God and for the gift of her Son. Thank her for being such an amazing role model and loving mother.

Pick a person each day. Offer your thoughts, actions and prayers for them throughout the day.

Start every day with gratitude. Thank you Lord for waking me up this morning. Thank you for blessing me more than I deserve. Help me to be the best version of myself today and may others see me as your child. Use me, a humble sinner for Your good.

Giving

If you are giving up something for Lent that you can quantify (i.e. going to Starbucks everyday and knowing the price of that macchiato) save that money and give it to a charity or a family in need. The same could be done But giving doesn’t necessarily have to be monetary.

Spend time decluttering or cleaning out a closet, cabinet or basement. Donate any unused items to a homeless shelter, women’s home or other charity.

Give your time and talents. Volunteer at your parish or in your local community. Do something for someone else (outside of your immediate circle). Write a letter or send a message or email each day telling someone how much they mean to you and how grateful you are they are a part of your life.Call someone you don’t talk to on a regular basis.

I have a rough plan for how I will be spending my Lent (yes, I am a type “A”) and hope to share a reflection for each of the 40 days. I will be praying for all of you and hope that you will be part of this transformational journey. Please share what you are doing for Lent. It may be just the inspiration someone else needs (including myself)!

Now off to get ashes and then to Adoration. If you have any intentions, please feel free to share and I will take them the next time I go to mass, adoration or pilgrimage sites.

Have a blessed day and a reflective and fruitful Lent!