2 Corinthians 5:20

Lent begins today, which is Ash Wednesday. This is a good time to engage in some timely, spiritual spring – cleaning. The observance of the forty days of Lent in the church originated in imitation of the forty days that Jesus spent in the desert in preparation for His public ministry.

Lent is not just about eating fish on Friday or giving up eating candy. It is a good time to be renewed spiritually so that we can live a better Christian life. The following practical steps are offered to help you make the most of Lent:

1. If you attend church occasionally, try to go every week.

2. Confess your sins to the Lord; accept His forgiveness; and do penance for your sins. This is an excellent time to examine your conscience; confess your sins and do penance.

3. If you are not in the habit of praying or meditating, make an effort to do so this Lent. Prayer does not have to be complicated or wordy. A simple ‘thanks’ to God for the grace of another day, for blessings received, for supportive friends, family and church. Thank God in the morning when you rise and in the night before you go sleep. Ask God to help you when you are driving and when you are working. When you are alone at home, take some time to meditate on the scriptures each day. You’ll be surprised how enjoyable and inspirational this spiritual exercise can be.

4. If you cannot eat together as a family every evening for reasons of work or other obligations, try to eat dinner together once a week this Lent. Be sure to turn off the television, cell phones and other electronic gadgets during dinner. This is a time when family members should be engaged in conversation together.

5. Do some good works during Lent. Like donating food to a Food Bank; visiting the sick in the hospital and volunteering at a church or wherever needed.

Finally, Lent is a time to discover the joy of the Gospel. So, be joyful this Lent when you eat less, when you pray more, when you confess your sins, when you break bread together and when you help others.

Fr. Hugh Duffy