“Jesus said to His disciples, … When you fast, … When you give alms, … When you pray … And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”
Mt. 6:1–6, 16–18
Each year on Ash Wednesday, at Mass or a Prayer Service, as we begin the Season of Lent, we hear the Gospel quoted above, Matthew 6: 1–6, 16–18, and Jesus speaks to us, His disciples, about fasting, almsgiving, and prayer. As Jesus speaks to us of those spiritual practices, we should “listen very closely” because He is telling us not only “what” we should do but “how” (and why) we should do it. He warns us that if we are only performing these spiritual practices so that “others may see them” or “to win the praise of others,” we will receive no spiritual (true or valuable) benefit. He is teaching us that the “how” and the “why” are much more important than the “what.” Therefore, when we think of fasting, almsgiving, and prayer, “What will I give up for Lent?”, we need to consider why we are making those sacrifices and commitments and how they may help us to be “closer to God,” to more fully love God and our neighbor.
If you are thinking about preparing or getting ready for Lent, my first recommendation would be to spend some time in prayer with Matthew 6: 1–18. The Gospel for Ash Wednesday omits v. 7–15, probably for brevity and to keep the focus on the three “Spiritual Practices,” but v. 7–15 is Jesus’s “extra” teaching on prayer — and can certainly help us in our Lenten preparation.
As I reflect on my own experience, I think there have been years when I have looked forward to Lent and other years “not so much.” I can say that this year, perhaps because it is a Jubilee/Holy Year, I am looking forward to Lent and the opportunities that it offers to all of us. For those who may be thinking about preparing for Lent, not only “what will I give up?” but also the “how” and the “why” that Jesus asks us to consider very seriously, I would like to offer a few possibilities for consideration.
Daily Mass — In my opinion, attending daily Mass may be the most underestimated and underappreciated opportunity to grow closer to the Lord and advance in the spiritual life than all of the countless spiritual practices that are offered in the 2,000 years of our tradition. It is true that, on a practical level, the opportunity to attend daily Mass is not a realistic option for everyone, depending on family, work commitments, and other factors, but Lent gives each of us the opportunity to ask ourselves, “Is it possible for me to get to daily Mass?” It may mean getting up earlier than usual, finding a noontime Mass (and taking a shorter lunch break), or finding a parish where there is an evening Mass, but (sometimes/often) “where there is a will, there’s a way.” If it’s not possible to get to Mass every day during Lent, maybe you can get to Mass one or two days during the week in addition to Sunday?
Praying with Scripture — and the Daily Mass Readings — Many parishes have Bible classes, Scripture Study, and Faith Sharing groups or other opportunities to pray with Scriptures during Lent. I encourage all to take advantage of those opportunities if you can. I would also recommend, especially for those who would like to be able to attend daily Mass but are unable to do so, praying with the Scripture Readings for daily Mass each day during Lent — if you miss a day, you can always “double up” the next day or just do the best you can. Praying with the Readings for daily Mass is an area where technology can be especially helpful. To find the daily Reading, you just have to Google “daily Mass Readings” or, I would recommend, “USCCB daily readings.” Here’s a link to the Readings for Ash Wednesday.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation — “Welcome Home to Healing” — “Even now, says the LORD, return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, and weeping, and mourning; Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the LORD, your God. For gracious and merciful is he, slow to anger, rich in kindness, and relenting in punishment. Joel 2:12–14.
We hear these words of the Prophet Joel in the First Reading at Mass on Ash Wednesday. They certainly “set the tone” for the Season of Lent. I have said before that I believe that the Sacrament of Reconciliation (a.k.a. “Confession”) is “making a comeback.” After having said that daily Mass is the “most underestimated or underappreciated” of our spiritual practices or “opportunities for Grace,” I am rethinking that as I write about the Sacrament of Reconciliation — maybe it’s a “tie for first”?
I hope that, by now, all readers are aware of the “Welcome Home to Healing” initiative that, thanks to Bishop Serratelli, the priests of our diocese, and many lay and religious diocesan leaders, has been a part of the “Lenten Opportunities” here in our Diocese for more than 15 years. On each Monday of Lent, the Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available at every Church in our Diocese from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The opportunity to celebrate this “Sacrament of Healing” and hear the words, “I absolve you of your sins … Go in Peace, your sins are forgiven” is a cause for great joy and gratitude: gratitude to God for His Merciful Love and gratitude for our priests, who are the instruments of that Mercy and generously are available, not only on the Monday evenings of Lent but on a daily basis. Learn more about “Welcome Home to Healing.”
Jubilee Prayer — here is one of many ways to make “Lent 2025” part of the Jubilee Year, the Jubilee of Hope, as Pilgrims of Hope. Are you familiar with the “Jubilee Prayer”? If not, “you are not alone.” While many individuals and families and some parishes are praying the special “Jubilee Prayer” every day, in my experience, I would say that there are many more who, as yet, are unfamiliar with or have not heard about the “Jubilee Prayer.” If you said the “Jubilee Prayer” every day during Lent, do you think you would come to “know it by heart”? There’s only one way to find out. Here is a link to the Jubilee Prayer.
The Hallow App — The “Hallow App” launched at the end of 2018. It has become one of the most popular Apps, especially for those who are seeking spiritual support and resources through an online community. While an “online community” cannot replace an in-person parish and family community, we are all aware that more and more people, especially young people, look for resources, support, and some sense of community online. I have found that the Hallow App is a very, very good resource for prayer, meditation, the lives of the Saints, personal testimonies, spiritual music, and for learning about and benefitting from the rich Spiritual traditions and practices of our Catholic Faith. One of the most popular offerings of the Hallow App is its “Lent Pray40” Challenge (or invitation), which offers meditation and prayers each day during Lent. Last I checked, nine days before Ash Wednesday, 305,000 people were signed up to take part in this experience of online communal prayer. I participated in Hallow’s “Lent40” last year and found it very helpful, and I am looking forward to participating again this year. Click here for more information.
A few more Lenten Practices (or “opportunities for Grace): Eucharistic Adoration, the Rosary, Operation Rice Bowl, volunteering to help the poor, the elderly, and those in need, visiting the sick or shut-ins, Spiritual Reading, the Lives of the Saints, TURNING OFF my CELL PHONE (for an hour a day or one day a week)?, “Giving up _________?, we could go on and on … Especially as we recall that, more important than “what” we do (and/or give up) for Lent is the “why” and “how,” the attitude and spirit of our Lenten practices and commitments.
The beauty of our Catholic Faith and the Liturgical Calendar that we follow through the Seasons each year gives us this beautiful (and challenging) Season of Lent, yet we should never forget that Lent leads us to Holy Week and the “Sacred Triduum.” During Lent, we are united with Jesus and one another in fasting, almsgiving, and prayer so that we may be more closely united with Him as we will commemorate His suffering, death, and Resurrection, always aware of the Hope and promise of Easter Joy and Peace.
