Lay apostles, since today is when Lent begins, I wanted to share what the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (usccb.org) describes as Lenten practice for Catholics. Actually, it's great practice for any Christian. The links will clarify further.
Our observance of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, which falls on February 13 this year, and is a a day of fast and abstinence for Catholics. At Mass on Ash Wednesday, the imposition of ashes replicates an ancient penitential practice and symbolizes our dependence upon God's mercy and forgiveness.
During this Lent, the U.S. bishops are encouraging Catholics to make going to confession a significant part of their spiritual lives. They have issued a statement,"God's Gift of Forgiveness: The Pastoral Exhortation on the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation" that can be distributed and shared in parishes. Dioceses are encouraged to make the sacrament available often during Lent and to use these resources to promote participation. We are also providing resources to help individuals who have not been to confession in a while "rediscover" the sacrament.
During Lent, the baptized are called to renew their baptismal commitment as others prepare to be baptized through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, a period of learning and discernment for individuals who have declared their desire to become Catholics.
The three traditional pillars of Lenten observance are prayer,fasting and almsgiving. The Church asks us to surrender ourselves to prayer and to the reading of Scripture, to fasting and to giving alms. The fasting that all do together on Fridays is but a sign of the daily Lenten discipline of individuals and households: fasting for certain periods of time, fasting from certain foods, but also fasting from other things and activities. Likewise, the giving of alms is some effort to share this world equally—not only through the distribution of money, but through the sharing of our time and talents.
The key to fruitful observance of these practices is to recognize their link to baptismal renewal. We are called not just to abstain from sin during Lent, but to true conversion of our hearts and minds as followers of Christ. We recall those waters in which we were baptized into Christ's death, died to sin and evil, and began new life in Christ.
On these pages, you will find a variety of suggestions and resources to support your Lenten practice, enhance your prayer, and embrace your baptismal commitment.
Todays Gospel (Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18) teaches us to do our penance quietly, not drawing attention to ourselves:
Jesus said to his disciples: “Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father.
When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
“When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
“When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”
In Anne a lay apostle's book Lessons in Love, she beautifully illustrates the importance of penance:
"God knew exactly what we would need to successfully complete our time on earth. The graces available in the Sacrament of Penance are a wonder to behold. If I were to summarize these graces in one word, I would use the all important word, clarity. Through Confession, God sends clarity. This is good and necessary if one is to advance at the desired speed. To return to a point that is important to our Father in heaven, I address again the mystical and contemplative realities. The mystical reality is the truth that good and evil are coexisting on earth and that a spiritual war is always taking place. At any given time, there is a state of the world in terms of spiritual warfare. A person who understands this truth will be poignantly alert to God’s goals with regard to brothers and sisters who are not safe. Why do I use the word poignantly? Because God cares so much for each one who is at risk. Our pain is His pain and since He loves us and we love Him, His pain must be our pain. What will this person do, given her attentiveness? She will be vigilant in the pursuit of personal holiness so that the enemy cannot turn her into a weapon to use against God’s children, regardless of their condition or disposition. In other words, the war is against the enemy, not the people the enemy is using."
Lay apostles, what are you doing for penance this Lent? I always try to work on a virtue and in addition give something up. Hmmm . . . haven't exactly pinpointed it as of this writing! But I will share on my next post!
Thank you, Lord, for this time of Lent. A time to focus on You and Your Life. A time to work on being a better me.
God bless,
Bonnie
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