Lent is Coming. Time to Do Penance.

   Ash Wednesday is upon us and we begin another Lenten journey. I have fond memories of Lent in St. William's parish in the Dorchester section of Boston.  We had Stations of the Cross each Friday and were encouraged to go to daily Mass.  In those days the rules of fast and abstinence were much more rigorous, though I must admit that having more fish was never much of a sacrifice for me.

   In more recent times it has been common for folks to choose their Lenten discipline.  This, I believe, is a good thing, but it raises some questions for me.   On the one hand some people want to do things that will make them better people.  On the other hand there are those who want to atone for their sins.  Both of these are laudable motives but I think that there has to be some deeper reason for doing penance during Lent.  As I mentioned in a blog post last month to repent does not just mean to feel sorry for your sins.  It means to rearrange your life, to make the Gospel, the following of Jesus, the basis of your life.  I would like, with this blogentry, to suggest a Lenten path that we might follow.

  Before deciding to sacrifice things or to carry out certain positive actions go into prayer and ask to be able to see what in your life is getting in the way of following the Lord more closely.  It may be something wrong, sinful, but it may be something perfectly good which nonetheless gets in the way. After doing that tell the Lord in prayer that during these forty days you want to get closer to Him, then decide what to do.

  In addition to giving up things for Lent. think of positive actions that you will take.  Think of this on three levels--prayer and personal spiritual growth, charity towards others, and making the world a better place through action for justice and peace.

  The first part needs little explanation.  It may mean daily Mass, more spiritual reading, more quiet time gained by shutting off the TV for a while or cutting back on social media. attending Stations of the Cross on Fridays, etc.  The second part is pretty self-explanatory as well and involves not only possibly giving to charity, but also things like reaching out to the elderly, the homeless, visiting the sick, etc.  The third level is perhaps not one that crosses the minds of most people.  There are so many pressing issues such as immigration reform, working for peace, pro life activities, care for the environment.  Lent is a great time not only to pray over these issues but to seek to get involved in some way.

  I promise you that if you engage the Lord in these ways that you will have a wonderful Holy Week and Easter.

  God Bless and have a wonderful and fruitful Lent..

And, please click on the link below to see Pope Francis' lenten message.
Pope Francis Lenten Message