Lent!

The season of Lent in the Church is fast approaching! I realized this only Monday, so they past week I have been discussing with friends different things about Lent. There are a few important we need to know. You see, this is only my third Lenten season - so I have a few realizations I'd like to share. 


1. It's a time of cleansing & detachment. 
2. We learn discipline in our sacrifice
3. It's a time set aside within the Church meant to help us grow closer to Christ
4. It is not simply a time of sorrow & mourning. 


1- It's a time of cleansing.
We need to purge things from our lives sometimes. I'm really good at rewarding myself. If I get up early for morning prayer, I'll reward myself with a latte. If I go for a run, I reward myself with a cookie. I also am really good at finding consolation in food. If I have a bad day, I eat a lot of chocolate. If I have a rough night at work, I take a cookie at the end of the night. If I fail an exam, I have self-pity parties and look at pretty dresses & cakes.  The list goes on. However, for Lent this year I will be giving up my fancy, frilly coffee drinks and my sweets. I don't need to reward myself for the things I should be doing anyway. I need to detach more from things of this world. When I have a bad day, I need to seek consolation in Christ. When I do something well, I need to give thanks & praise to Christ for his goodness & providing for me. 


2 - We learn discipline
In denying ourselves something, we learn discipline. We grow in virtue, specifically fortitude. Fortitude: mental and emotional strength in facing difficulty, adversity,danger, or temptation courageously. Basically, by denying ourselves these things, it becomes easier to fight sinful temptations such as impurity, lust, anger, greed, etc. 


3- The Church seeks to grow closer as a whole

Lent is a time when all members of the Church make sacrifices. They are all doing this (or should be participating) as a means of growing closer to Christ. When we really want the latte, make it a prayer. When we really want a cookie, make it a prayer. Draw yourself closer to Christ. What's awesome - is the whole body of the Church is seeking to do this. Each person, in their own life in their own way, but together as a Church. 

It is also encouraged to add a form of prayer to life. Many add daily rosaries, or just a daily prayer life. Sometimes a daily mass, or increase adoration. There are many options for this. Just pick one and run with it - there will be people there to support and encourage, if you tell them what you're doing and ask them to help (accountability is key to success)

4-  It is not simply a time of sorrow & mourning

There is this idea that we're supposed to be mourning, sorrowful, "down in the dumps" during Lent. However, that is NOT what Christ calls us to. We are called to be joyful servants. We are called to bring the light of Christ, which lives in us, into this world.
I think Mother Teresa puts this best, so I'm going to finish with a few quotes of hers. 

"Keep giving Jesus to your people not by words, but by your example, by your being in love with Jesus, by radiating his holiness and spreading his fragrance of love everywhere you go. Just keep the joy of Jesus as your strength. Be happy and at peace. Accept whatever he gives- and give whatever he takes with a big smile. You belong to him." Mother Teresa

"The important thing, is not to waste suffering. Join it to the suffering of Christ; offer it up with his suffering. Don't waste suffering ." Mother Teresa

"Never let anything so fill with you pain or sorrow, so as to make you forget the joy of Christ risen." Mother Teresa

"This is perfect joy - to share in the sufferings of the world as Christ did." St. Francis of Assisi 

I wish you a blessed, joyful, fruitful Lent!

God bless!