A New Season

I couldn't possibly be talking about Ash Wednesday, after all, isn't Ash Wednesday? It's kind of a big deal in the Church, almost everyone goes to Mass!

News Flash: Ash Wednesday is not a holy day of obligation. 

It celebrates the beginning of Lent. It is a reminder that all of us are sinners, that we broken and battered, and need God at all times, not just on special days. Lent's purpose is to remind us of our sinful natures, and teach us to be better. This is why give up things, and add things to our spiritual life.

My approach to Lent has two parts; adding and subtracting.

During Lent, your spiritual life should grow. Just giving something up means nothing if you aren't giving it up to help bring yourself closer to God. When we were younger, we gave up candy or TV because it was what our parents suggested, or because we weren't sure what else we really liked. As adults in the Church, we give up things that put distance between us and God. You could also give up something you rely on, or take for granted. Examples could be a food you eat everyday, or a drink such as your morning coffee. I have known people to give up their pillows, adding salt to their food, chocolate, Facebook, and other things in life we take for granted. 

The second part requires extra effort to add something to your daily life. Lent is all about becoming closer to God, so the logical thing to add would be prayer. There are many different forms though; adoration, daily Mass, Liturgy of the Hours, and the Angelus would be more traditional forms of prayer. There are other options though; praying with your significant other, making an effort to read the Bible or other forms of devotions, spending time with family, or making more time for self-reflection. 

Try to find something this year that is going to push you, that will make being a better person seem all the more difficult and all the more obtainable. 

Good luck, God bless and as always, 

Totus tuus, 

LeAnn