Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, the 40 days of preparation for the Easter season when Christians are called to deepen their spiritual lives through the practices of fasting, prayer, and alms giving.
The belief is that our consistent participation in these practices — like exercise we do for our physical health — improves our spiritual well-being by stripping away all that is unnecessary and becoming more mindful of how God is working in our lives. Challenge yourself this year, and go beyond the usual practice of “giving up” something. Now is a great time to take stock of your spiritual life and to grow in it.
Not sure where to start? Check out these 10 ideas:
1. Don’t buy anything that you don’t need. If you can live without it, you don’t need it.
2. Replace 30 minutes of TV time with 30 extra minutes of devotion / prayer time.
3. Try a new spiritual practice. Sign up for an hour of Eucharistic Adoration.
4. Daily Masses are often more intimate and shorter than Sunday Mass.
5. Attend the Station of the cross.
6. Spend at least one weekend or evening volunteering during Lent. Serve a meal at local soup kitchen. Visit the elderly. Stock shelves at a food pantry.
7. Make a commitment to fast from insensitive, cruel comments about others. So, no gossiping.
8. Participate in a small community of faith.
9. As a part of your Lenten alms giving, make a point to learn more about a particular social issue (immigration, human trafficking, racism, the environment, public education, child poverty). Give money to an organization related to your chosen issue that supports the dignity of the human person.
10. Celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
