Lent extends from Ash Wednesday, March 2, until Holy Thursday, April 14. It concludes with the Sacred Triduum in Holy Week: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday.
Lent is a time to be made over spiritually. It is a time to resolve to do something about how you live your life in Christ. Change, renewal, conversion and straightening out what in your life gets in God’s way can happen to those who live Lent by practicing some form of penance.
The three traditional practices of Lent are as relevant for us as they were in “olden” times. Lent is a time to practice PRAYER (time with God); a time to practice FASTING (denial of self to get closer to God and others, especially the poor), and a time to practice CHARITY (almsgiving, giving back to God).
The Church obliges those from the age of 18 until 59 to enter into the spirit of this grace-filled season by observing fasting (one main meal, two smaller meals) and abstaining from meat on the Fridays of Lent and Ash Wednesday. Abstinence is to be observed by those from the age of 14. These are the rules. However, I suggest that ALL of us, children, teenagers and senior citizens – except those who are in any way health compromised – be encouraged to practice in some form the three traditional Lenten practices. All need to grow in Christ, and the three traditional practices associated with Lent can make that happen. Each of us can benefit spiritually and grow in Christ from practicing prayer, fasting and charity in some manner during Lent. Lent is lived not by receiving blessed ashes on Ash Wednesday but by practicing prayer, fasting and charity.
Lent is a journey toward holiness, especially for the catechumens who are preparing for Baptism at Easter. The rest of us, the baptized, also journey in Lent toward holiness. A journey means we are on the move. For some, 40 days can be a long journey. Forty recalls the 40 years journey of Israel in the desert from slavery in Egypt to freedom in the Promised Land. Forty also recalls the 40 days Jesus endured the desert. Forty days after His Ascension into glory, the Lord breathed out the Holy Spirit on the Apostles. Lent is a time when by observing the penitential practices in some way, we better our relationship with the Lord. During the journey to Easter, a movement of the spirit can happen in us.
We need to be realistic how we are going to practice fasting, prayer and charity, and we need to plan to effectively practice them this Lent. The Lenten goal of this journey is growth in Christ. Either of the formulas used by the minister on Ash Wednesday for the imposition of the blessed ashes clearly remind us of that Lenten goal: “Repent and Believe in the Gospel,” or “Remember, you are dust and unto dust you will return.” The external or outward sign of the ashes on the forehead expresses sorrow for sin and the need for deeper faith through internal change. Ashes remind us that this life ends and that one day before God we will give an accounting of our lives.
What will you do to live Lent? How will you make it a penitential season? How will you adapt the traditional Lenten practices to your particular circumstance? Lent is also a good time to approach the Sacrament of Penance. Seek the Lord’s forgiveness through Confession, which can be an experience of peace when you humbly name your sins, express sorrow for them and receive absolution of them.
For your journey this Lent try:
PRAYER. Talking with God. Listening to God. Time just for God. How much do you need? When do you set that time? Quietly reading the daily and Sunday Scripture readings can focus our talking to and listening to the Lord. Can you better your attention to prayer at Sunday Mass? Attend daily Mass? Participating in Lenten devotions such as the Stations of the Cross or a parish mission can benefit your prayer life.
FASTING. Is done in secret and in a spirit of joy. Giving up; denying self; getting rid of in order to open up more to God’s constant loving presence and to others, sometimes to those close by. Turning away from while turning toward God. Can you control your use of social media? What about food? Abstaining from meat may be a sacrifice for some. Limiting food intake?
CHARITY. Is about keeping the Law of Christ. Giving. Reaching out. Looking beyond self to see the poor and needy and to respond to them in Christ. Pope Francis in his message for Lent says, “Let us take special advantage to reach out to our brothers and sisters who lie wounded along the path of life.” There are so many around us who can benefit from our charity, which helps us to see all in the world as brothers and sisters for whom we have responsibility.
Lent ends in Holy Week with the celebration of the Paschal Mystery, the Death and Resurrection of the Lord, the central mystery of our faith. A mystery in which we participate through Baptism. May our use of the traditional penitential practices this Lent 2022 draw us more fully into that mystery.
Have a blessed Lenten journey.
Most Reverend Dennis J. Sullivan, D.D.
Bishop of Camden