Lent is a lot like our
New Year’s resolution. We have the best intention of using this time to be a “better
person” but we get busy or distracted with our old habits. So, if you are discouraged
because you have not kept any of your Lenten promises, let me offer a few
practical suggestions:
Number One: Say no to “potty mouth.” No more foul
language, no locker room talk, no smutty jokes, no social media. When “twitter”
becomes a way to put people down it devalues us. So, the first Lenten practice
–for all of us, young and old is to watch our language and say no.
Number Two: Say
yes to spiritual reading. Buy a little pocket New Testament and read a passage
a day from the gospels. If you go online there are daily Lenten websites like “Dynamic
Catholic” and “Living Lent Daily” that can help you in spiritual reading.
Number Three:
Coffee-can the table. Put a coffee can or other container on the family table
and every day empty your change into it. You might substitute your morning
latte and give it to the poor. You might cut out photos of a cause you want to
support like Charlotte Comfort Home or your local animal shelter or volunteer
fire department.
Number Four: Be
a “stitcher” meaning at home, at work, at school give the encouraging word, the
encouraging deed, at least once a week. Be a repairer of broken spirits, pick
up what others drop on the floor. Speak an encouraging word for every put down
remark. Give a pat for every shove. Be a “stitcher.”
Number Five:
Prepare to heal, work up to it. Make an attempt at reconnecting a broken
relationship that often starts out with a misunderstanding.
Number Six:
Reconnect. Put aside a day every week or two with friends, spouses, or families
to reconnect. This week my in-laws got together to celebrate birthdays in March.
Number Seven and
Final Suggestion: Come to our parish retreat next Sunday March 4th. It will begin at 10 am with Mass and a Penance
Service. Our coffee social will take place to socialize followed by several
brief talks and prayer. The theme is “Friendship with Jesus.” No excuses just
come to spend some time with the Lord who loves us all very much.
Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who want to be Your friend.
Give us open hearts to discover Your will in our life and help us to become the "best version of ourselves."
