Joel 2:12-18/2 Cor 5:20—6:2/Mt 6:1-6, 16-18
The idea of “doing something for Lent” is widespread, although some of us have good intentions with little follow through. We can help people realize the goal through providing them with simple ideas that can carry them through this season. These Lenten habits could become practices that continue throughout the year.
Today’s gospel provides us with the tools for growing closer to God this Lent: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. These actions are the disciplines of the Christian that aid us in becoming less selfish, putting God first in our lives, and expanding our world view to see the needs of those around us.
Suggestion for prayer: “Make a gratitude list and give God thanks for the gifts in your life.” Suggestion for fasting: “Fast from all media today and spend the time helping a neighbor/friend with a project.”
Suggestion for almsgiving: “Set money aside for a charity that would have gone to a treat for yourself today.”
The more we learn to pray, the more we realize we are not changing God’s thinking so that God does what we want; we are instead opening ourselves to what God has in mind. We are not fasting to lose some weight during Lent. We are saying “no” to our own gratification in order to understand we should not always put our needs first. We give alms because everything we have is a gift. We need to share with those in reduced circumstances so that our possessions don’t wind up possessing us.
The Christian disciple is on a pathway from selfishness to selflessness, and Lent provides the needed groundwork for the journey.
