As we mark the progression of Lent week by week, we may be finding that the practices of prayer, fasting, and doing works of charity are becoming more like habits, like automatically putting our coins into the “Mission Box” for organizations like Holy Childhood or Catholic Relief Services. Or intentionally avoiding the fridge on fasting days. Try writing a note to a distant relative who may be lonely; you may bring joy to someone! Get stamps and notecards ready as part of your Lenten preparation.

Set aside the time

One of the secrets of personal and spiritual growth is to put something positive in our schedule as something else is set aside. Less time on social media means I can take those minutes to read the Scriptures three days of the week and on the other three or four days,  write a short note to someone and mail it.  Sundays are terrific days to pray for others and write a note ready to mail on Monday.  Giving up that brand-name coffee from the drive-through means I’ve got some funds to buy a few bottles of water for the homeless on the street corner.

Fasting and feasting are the two sides of one coin. Being intentional about developing positive habits helps shake off not-so-good ones. When we carry these good habits beyond Lent, throughout the Easter Season, they may become more permanently a part of our regular routine. Take time during Lent to become more familiar with the Scriptures, simplifying your lives, and make room for works of mercy all year round. Also, try keeping in closer contact with relatives and past friends we have neglected for a bit.

Take time during Lent to become more familiar with the Scriptures, simplifying your lives, and make room for works of mercy all year round.

Lenten Practices

For the catechumens and candidates, Lenten practices such as these may be new spiritual disciplines for them. Help them discover and embrace how even small sacrifices for the sake of others will help them encounter Jesus Christ more intimately.

For the elect, Lent is a final period of purification and enlightenment before receiving the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil. In addition to prayer, fasting, and doing works of charity, their spiritual journey is shaped by the rites of the season — especially scrutinies and the presentations of the Creed and the Lord’s Prayer.

Consider ways in which the spiritual life of the domestic church can deepen the Lenten journey for both parishioners and seekers. For example, in our home we have a practice of creating spring-colored Easter cards — complete with flowers and butterflies — as we pass the halfway point on Laetare Sunday.

Carrying Lenten practices forward

Another idea is to make a family “rule” that before heading off to school or diving into the workday, each person spends a few minutes meditating and focusing on the gift of life. Use Lent to deepen your sense of “Sabbath” – spending time with God, with the saint or the Scripture of the day. Fast from the impulse to “get on with work” and instead feast on the blessings of God and God’s continuing care for you.

Let us pray that throughout this season of fasting and feasting, of spiritual growth and deeper awareness, our lives and hearts may grow in faith, hope, kindness and grace. For the elect, may this time be a profound period of intense purification and enlightenment as they prepare to receive the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil. May we all, from catechumens and elect to lifelong Catholics, become more like our loving, risen Lord, who gave his life for us. May Lent, the Paschal Triduum, and the Easter season form us for a lifetime of gratitude, living the works of mercy and beatitudes as faithful disciples reborn in Christ.