In Lent, the question commonly asked is “so what did you give up?” Oftentimes we tend towards giving up ice cream, chocolate, or deserts all together. What many people do not realize is that the Church actually invites us to do 3 things during Lent: to pray, to fast, and to give alms. Many of us tend towards just the one: fasting.
The reason that the Church asks us to do all 3 things is because it tackles all the areas that we tend to make god’s of in our lives.
How easy is it for us to fall into pride, just like Adam and Eve did in the garden, and decide that we are in control of everything. This is the reason the Church invites us to pray more during Lent, to give God more time in our lives, and to realize that he is the one in control, not us. To fight against this temptation, maybe commit to going to Adoration once a week, praying a daily rosary together as a family, or making time to just talk to Jesus about your day.
Money and greed are easy things for us to attach our identities to in our modern western culture. We look at what other people have, what the trendy thing is, and we attempt to “keep up with the Jones’.” It is important for us to detach ourselves from money and those things that we want, but don't truly need, and to give to those in our community who are in a greater need than us. Consider giving up your morning coffee run, your daily pop, or your nightly ice cream and donating the money to Catholic Charities who greatly serve people in our own communities.
The reason we fast during Lent is that we might give up a vice that will not just improve ourselves, but that will make more room for Jesus in our lives. Whether that be TV, chocolate, coffee, or my favorite, getting rid of the radio in your car. All these things we lay down out of love for Jesus in order that we may be closer with him.
Don’t turn Lent into a self-improvement project, that's not what it is supposed to be. Use Lent as a time to pray, fast, and to give alms; helping those in our community and drawing closer to Jesus. As well, I encourage you to make time for confession at some point during this Lent, it is truly one of the best things you could do for your relationship with Jesus.
- Fr. Andrew