On the doorstep of Lent…
So, how will this Lent be different from other Lents in your life? We know the drill, the three practices by heart by now, don’t we? Fasting. Prayer. Almsgiving. The $10,000 question is: “How will you fast and pray and give alms this year?”
Though I cannot answer the first and last for you, I can give you some possible ideas for the middle choice – prayer. By the doors this weekend are the reflection booklets we have been providing for a number of years now – “Five Minutes with the Word.” For those who like something tangible to hold in their hands and page through, this little pamphlet gives you a short meditation based on one of the daily readings from the mass of the day.
For those who enjoy the electronic method of acquiring content, there are two I would recommend and a third the Archdiocese suggests.
I have always enjoyed the website: Word On Fire, hosted by the Archdiocese of Chicago and featuring Fr. Robert Barron. This Lent, you can have a daily Lenten meditation from Fr. Barron delivered directly to your inbox. Just go to http://LentReflections.com to sign up.
The Irish Jesuits have a little online website called Sacred Space. In their own words, they bid you: “…to make a ‘Sacred Space’ in your day, praying here and now, as you visit our website, with the help of scripture chosen every day and on-screen guidance.” It is a series of screens, (with optional music) containing a short paragraph to center the heart and guide you through a few moments of prayer. You control how quickly/slowly you page through the screens. Sometimes, it is the perfect break in the middle of a long day at the computer.
Finally, as mentioned 2 weeks ago, Dynamic Catholic’s Best Lent Ever email program begins on February 18, Ash Wednesday. Like Fr. Barron’s Lent Reflections, each day, Matthew Kelly will email you simple yet powerful messages that explore the genius of Catholicism and will inspire you to become the-best-version-of-yourself. Go to BestLentEver.com to register.
Finally, just a reminder: Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of abstinence for all Catholics over the age of 14. On these two days, fast, as well as abstinence, is also obligatory for those from the ages of 18-59. Abstinence means refraining from meat. Fast means one full meal a day, with two smaller meals and nothing between meals (liquids are permitted). All Fridays in Lent are days of abstinence from meat. No Catholic will lightly excuse himself or herself from these obligations.