Preparing for Lent: Inviting God into your Life

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Ash Wednesday begins the liturgical season of Lent. It is a time to focus on the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Our Lord, Jesus Christ; a time of spiritual renewal for all. For the forty days of Lent, Christians around the world will take time for reflection and renewal. During this penitential season we are all invited to draw closer to God.

• Preparing our home: In our home, Lent is a quiet time, a time of reflection, fasting and prayer. In order to free my time and my thoughts for this season I like to get any major household chores accomplished before Ash Wednesday. I will also do any major shopping (both for clothes or groceries) so that I am freed from spending too much time on consumer related activities during Lent.

• Preparing our hearts: Preparing our home and thinking about Lent before it actually begins is a respectful way of honoring this penitential season. Instead of making last minute or hasty preparations, we put thought into what this season means to us and how we are going to use this time to grow closer to God.

• What to Give Up? During Lent we are invited to give up something that we find pleasure in. Not only is this an act of penance for our sins but it can help us to identify with Christ’s sufferings. It can become a wonderful discipline for self-control not only during Lent but at other times of the year when we find ourselves too caught up in our materialistic society.

• What to Add?

During Lent I also like to add something to my regular routine. Typically I will find a spiritual book or two and commit to reading them during Lent. In addition to my morning and evening prayers, I will also make the effort to attend daily Mass. I also enjoy attending Stations of the Cross during Lent - it is a powerful reminder of what Lent and Easter are about. But adding simple things are also important. Perform community service, pray for someone who is in need of prayers, read scripture. The point is to keep God first and foremost in our daily life.