Dear Friends,
When I was a child the consideration of what to ‘give up for Lent’ was a serious conversation as we approached the season which lasted 40 days. Whether it was chocolate or biscuits or my favourite TV programme didn’t seem to matter – the important thing was to give up something I liked… and see how long I could last in the denial. I have to say, even during my young days, I often wondered how this practice helped me refocus on God or bring me any closer to the divine. But I guess much of the idea was to align myself with Jesus in the wilderness as He was tempted by the devil (whoever he was!) and become better at resisting the temptations the world constantly offered.
These days I think I take a wider view towards our Lenten practices. Giving up something is fine – but only if it feeds into our spiritual and prayer life in some way. There is surely little merit in just ticking off the successful days of denial. Rather, I now see Lent as a period of time when we can examine and focus on our ‘being’ rather than on any achievement of ‘doing’. For this, in turn, can help us develop longer lasting habits that make us ‘be’ a little more like Christ in the days and months to come.
So perhaps during this Lent, we might ask ourselves: how do I want to be this Lent? More thoughtful? More open to God’s desires? Better able to sit with people who need me? More attentive to Scripture? More compassionate towards my own fears and failings? More courageous about using the gifts God has given me?
And to help us do this in our ‘being’ we might concentrate on three questions:
What does my spirit need? Just ask and wait quietly in prayer. It may take a few days for us to discern the answer.
What in my life makes me happy? When we are happy, I am sure it gladdens God’s heart; just as when we sin/are distant from God it grieves God’s heart. We are in relationship with God, and God desires us to live life in God’s abundance.
What graces do I ask for this Lent? We are told, Ask and it shall be given. We can always let go of more stuff, listen better, do more quickly what is needed for the building of God’s kingdom. Ask for whatever grace you need.
This month marks the season of Lent. May we be intentional in our efforts to make this time one which is blessed and fruitful.
with love, Liz