‘WHAT SHOULD I GIVE UP FOR LENT?’ IS THE WRONG QUESTION TO START WITH.

Excerpts from an American Media Article “What Should I Give Up for Lent?” by Jum Latamie SJ

Rather, it is not the first question we should ask. It is the last one. Let me explain.

. . . . What do I need that will help me to open my heart to God to receive the grace that I am seeking? . . . God may want to give me the precise grace that I am asking for. Or perhaps God wants to give me something bigger and bolder than I dared to ask. . . . Try this. If you have a Lenten practice in mind, bring it to prayer. Three times, ask the question, ‘‘Why?’ and answer with “because.”

. . . . Maybe I acknowledge that I am wasting too much time and avoiding some important relationships. Bring that into prayer again. “Jesus, this Lent, I want to deepen my relationships with a few key people—including you. I want to do this because…” One more time: “Jesus, relationships are the most important things in my life, and I’ve been neglecting them. You call me to love God and love my neighbor.” Notice the spiritual movement. We started with “cutting TV” and ended with “loving God,” with several key steps in between (I’ve been neglecting relationships, and they are important to me). My Lenten practices now have a clearer sense of mission rooted in faith.

Click here to read the full article. But, more importantly, sit in the presence of the ever-present Jesus whom we usually ignore, and ask Him about what you really need. Then be still and listen as He awakens what you need from deep within you.

Sister Loretta