It’s Ash Wednesday which kicks off the Catholic Lenten season: 40+ days of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving before Easter Sunday.
In Pope Francis’s message for Lent 2016, which he begins with the gospel verse “I desire mercy, not sacrifice,” he says that sacrifice is pointless if it doesn’t help others.
For all of us, then, the season of Lent in this Jubilee Year is a favourable time to overcome our existential alienation by listening to God’s word and by practising the works of mercy. In the corporal works of mercy we touch the flesh of Christ in our brothers and sisters who need to be fed, clothed, sheltered, visited; in the spiritual works of mercy – counsel, instruction, forgiveness, admonishment and prayer – we touch more directly our own sinfulness. The corporal and spiritual works of mercy must never be separated.
Pope Francis’s full message can be read here.
I get the Pope’s message because people can get so consumed with something that, in fact, is pretty trivial like giving up ice-cream or alcohol. Seriously? How does that help you become more Christ-like? How are you becoming a more spiritual person and opening yourself up to God’s grace?
That said, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with determining a Lenten resolution that is very personal and individual. For me, I am giving up worrying. Yes worrying! It has dominated my life for the past couple years, causing extreme stress and anxiety, which makes me more of a bitch. Bottom line: I am going to be a better person for myself and for my community if I stop worrying and trusting in God’s plan for me.
I’m also going to meditate every day. I’m a novice meditator, which means I’ve got a bunch of guided meditations queued up to start my day in zenful peace.
Any Catholics out there want to share their Lenten resolutions?
What about those new year’s resolutions? How are those going? Full disclosure: I haven’t done new year’s resolutions in a couple years.
Great post! A few years ago I decided to stop giving up something for Lent. I still fast and abstain from meat on Ash Wed and Fridays of Lent, but I don’t give up sweets or television or facebook anymore. While there is nothing wrong with doing those things, I realized that I wasn’t really channeling that extra time or energy into something meaningful or productive. I was only proving to myself the strength of my willpower (or in some years lack of). So now, instead of giving something up, I try to do something during Lent, which is a better use of my time and talent than denying myself a scoop ice cream.
One of the ways I have chosen to do this is through the Young Adult Ministry at my parish that my husband and I help run. The last 3 years we have held a Lenten Discussion Series that we open up to all parishioners (not just the young adults). We’ve touched on some traditional Lenten topics in previous years (like fasting and prayer). This year, we’re hitting some deeper and more sensitive (but equally important) topics and trying to focus on the “Year of Mercy” theme for this jubilee year.
This month, we are going as a group to watch “Spotlight”, the movie about the Boston Globe investigation into the sex abuse allegations in the Catholic Church. We will then have a discussion of the movie with the Director of the Office for Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults in Diocese of San Jose. In March we are having a second discussion night “Meeting the Imprisoned Christ” where we will explore social ministry and restorative justice and how to get involve in that ministry in our diocese. Our young adult ministry also organizes “stations of the cross” for our parish one Friday during Lent. Finally our church (and 3 others in Silicon Valley) are taking turns hosting 15 homeless women this winter. The city of San Jose has granted the churches temporary shelter designation so we can do this. Our young adult group will be working with our parish Peace & Justice Commission and other parishioners to provide a warm and welcoming place for these women in our sanctuary.
There are many things obviously that one could do, but I think the key is to think about a way you can give of yourself in a more productive way. If you or your readers are interested in knowing more about our young adult ministry check out our facebook group “St. Martin of Tours Young Adults”. We are located in San Jose and you do not have to be a parishioner to attend our events 🙂
You are amazing! Your comment made my day and totally speaks to what Pope Francis is asking of us—serious works of mercy. I especially love how you are watching Spotlight, then discussing it and bringing in an expert who can give additional perspective. Incredible! When I was in San Francisco, one of the priests at St. Dominic’s talked about the scandal in his homily and hit it straight on. He said, if any priest or anyone associated with the parish or any Catholic organization sexually assaults you or a loved one, call the police. Call the police! If I lived near San Jose, I would totally get involved. Not that I can’t do this on my own, but full disclosure, I haven’t gone to church regularly. I have to wait until my son can sit still and I can a little more rest 🙂
Honestly, I still haven’t decided yet what to give up this year and reading this only reminded me I no closer yet still. But loved the Pope’s message and thank you for sharing here tonight.
I’ve also decided to give up eating a single Girl Scout cookie which is actually a big deal for me!
I’m not Catholic so I don’t give up anything for Lenton but I love the idea of giving up worrying. Every now and then it happens for me and it’s wonderful. Like walking on water.
I wish it were so easy to give up worrying, but I am going to make a huge effort!
I haven’t “given” anything up for Lent for years. I guess the reason is that I see people who are dogs all throughout the year and then become pious for the 40 days during Lent and then go back to being dogs after. Also, they will announce to the world what they are doing. To me, it isn’t right.
I am not the most religious person but I try to use these 40 days as a time to see if I am living up to the values I have set. Am I being a good parent, Am I being a good steward of the Earth, Am I being a good human being? Things like that. Those questions are more important to me.
Praying that giving up worrying makes you a better person. I told my students the other, “Things will always work themselves out, it may not be the way you want, but things will work themselves out.”
Patrick, you are one of the most self-reflective people I know. As with all religion, many people make use of it in theory, but don’t really practice the values. I am, of course, one of those people. But whether it’s the New Year or Lent, at least there are some timeframes where people can say, you know what, I’m going to try this or reflect on this. Baby steps!
I definitely get more out of Lenten resolutions that are about taking action rather than about denying myself something. The Pope’s message of mercy really speaks to me. I’m trying very hard to be a kinder more merciful person with the hopes that these traits will stay with me long after Easter.
I love that you’re giving up worrying. I’m focusing on embracing life this year, and part of that is not worrying about the stuff I can’t change. Embrace the chaos, embrace the messiness, embrace the fact that I don’t need to control it all.