Lent begins this week on Wednesday, February 17, at midnight.  Are you ready?  Are we ever ready?  And, really, what do I want to get out of Lent?  It’s just a season of discomfort for us.  On Ash Wednesday those of us between 14 and 59 fast (food consumption of the day should equal two light meals) and all of us abstain (no meat).  This is more penance than our Jewish brethren endure, but less than the Muslim endure for Ramadan; our Orthodox cousins are more stringent than we Romans.  All in all, what do I want or expect out of Lent?

Lent is a time to check my priorities, to rearranging my priorities and my life according to deeper values.  If my life reflects an outstanding generosity, then Lent will be a breeze.  If however I would be hard pressed to show any volunteering (ministering) in my appointment book or donating of my material resources in my bank account, then Lent will be a challenge…to consider these opportunities.

Fasting makes me clarify what are my needs and what are my wants.  Confusion between these two is problematic.  If I don’t know the difference between wants and needs I become ‘programmed’ to need things that I can’t imagine living without.  Wants demand and I obey, and my attention and resources serve futile things as if they were essential.  Fasting limits or eliminates some of these things to clarify to me that I am more than these: coffee, television or sweets.  Strangely, I may need to fast from adding more activity to my schedule! Am I so busy, so distracted that I never have time to pray?  Be careful about fasting, but also daring.

Prayer in Lent should be more meditative, directing me to reflect and listen rather than talk.  God knows my voice.  Do I know His?  Do I listen to the Scriptures outside of Mass?  Well, carve out specific time for prayer.  Make it six minutes…a short reading of scripture (e.g., gospel of the day; psalm response) and 3 minutes of silent meditation.  What a difference this will make.  In order to succeed be sure to be specific about the time you will pray.

Almsgiving is the right relationship with our neighbor.  If I have enough, more than enough, then I have alms to share with the dispossessed.  Perhaps I reconsider my stewardship to charities and/or to the church.  Until I’ve tithed (10%), I should be in good shape.  Impossible?  Try something like that and discover what new vision of things come to light.  And I will discover that I have enough, even more than enough.  How did that happen?  Well, Lenten re-visioning opens up a world of discipleship that is exciting, meaningful and creative.  I am part of something bigger: the mystery of the death and resurrection of Christ happening now!

Is fasting, prayer and almsgiving reflected in the church?  I hope so.  Check out our collective fasting by observing our prayer times (e.g., Stations of the Cross, 24-hour adoration) and almsgiving (e.g., Rice Bowl, Food Drive, winter shelter, mission trip).  How shall we walk further onto the spiritual ice and dare ourselves?

None of this will make sense unless you and I are open—mentally, emotionally, spiritually—to possible change, to seeing things differently and understanding that less can be more, that being is more than having, and that sharing brings a joy that surpasses understanding.  The way of Christ is not for all…but it IS for us.  Let’s walk this Lenten journey together and be accountable to one another!