Lent is like going to the gym—plus doing a master check-up.
It is aimed at getting rid of toxins and ailments, and getting spiritually fit.
Just shifting to a vegetarian diet does not fulfill this purpose.
What is needed is a CHANGE OF HEART—not simply a change of diet.
We come together as a family/religious community/parish to see how to make Lent meaningful, and to take some common decisions. It is good to look at seven aspects of Lent:
1. Personal Conversion: Which are my areas of sin, which I need to repent of and correct? Where am I going against God’s loving plans for me? Where am I doing harm to others? How am I destroying my happiness and the happiness of others? (We do not share this with others. But each one will do well to reflect and write down what comes up. Possible areas of awareness: gossip, alcoholism, injustice, uncontrolled temper, accessing pornography, neglect of duties, cheating in business, harshness and cruelty). Remember what St. John wrote, “If anyone says he has not committed sin, he makes God a liar.” Lent will be wonderfully meaningful if I were to admit and correct my major areas of wrong-doing.
2. Group Conversion: How do we need to improve as a family/community/parish? Are we united? Are we happy? Are we an attractive witness to our own younger members and to others? How do treat one another? How do we speak of others? How good is our family prayer? (It will help to write down two or three things we need to change or improve, share them with one another, and take a decision which all will stand by.)
3. Prayer: How can I improve my prayer life? (Private reflection and writing.). How is our community prayer? Are there ways we can do it better? (Reflect, write and share.)
4. Penance: What sacrifices am I planning that will make me a better person? Correcting a harmful habit (e.g., smoking or gossip) is more meaningful than changing one’s diet. So, too, doing one’s duties more faithfully is a better “penance” than skipping meals. But making sacrifices in food (and other areas) can help us become more disciplined. What sacrifices will I make this Lent? (Reflect and write.) What sacrifices shall we agree on as a family/community/parish? Examples: Simplify our food, and help the poor with the money we spare; cut down on unnecessary expenses, and give that money to the poor; get up earlier to pray; do voluntary work among the poor or the sick.
5. Way of the Cross: This devotion is popular for two reasons: We can feel for Jesus’ sufferings and understand better his love for us; secondly, we all need to find strength for our own way of the cross. Take part in it, at least once a week. If prevented by illness or travel, make it by yourself.
6. Love: All conversion must be seen in greater love. It is far more important to practice love and justice than to avoid meat and fish. Apologize to those you hurt. Forgive those who hurt you. Appreciate the good that others do. Do not gossip or humiliate others. Ask: How can I grow in love during these forty days? ( Write. Do.) How can we as family/community/parish become more caring, more forgiving, more helpful to one another and to others? (Reflect. Write. Share. Decide together.)
7. Sacrament of Reconciliation: Sometime during Lent, make a sincere and well-prepared confession. If you are running an institution, provide this opportunity to Catholic staff and students. If you are a priest, please make the sacrament a meaningful and comforting experience of God’s tender mercy for the penitent. A middle-aged business man about his experience of confession: “I feel so happy after my confession. I did not know I could be so happy.” Jesus came to make sure our joy is full. Give Him and yourself the joy of a heart-felt home-coming.
– Fr. Joe Mannath SDB is the National Secretary of CRI and the editor of this magazine
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