Receiving the Gift of Christ This Lent
By Fr. Isaiah Schick
Ash Wednesday is already this week! Lent is just around the corner. You still have time to pray about how the Lord is inviting you into deeper and more intimate relationship with him, as well as into more generous love and service of others.
The traditional three practices of Lent are prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. All three are biblical and attested to powerfully in the lives of the saints. Oftentimes, we think about Lent in terms of giving up stuff – but it is actually about how to give a greater gift of our very selves! And about how to more openly receive the gift of Christ to us – Christ the Word, Christ the Bread of Life, Christ the Savior, Christ the Merciful, Christ the Suffering Servant, Christ the Priest and Mediator. My one piece of advice is to not choose too many things this Lent to grow in!
At most, pick one in each category (prayer, fasting, and almsgiving). Even if you only pick one in total, if you grow in love through little acts done consistently, it will be a beautiful Lent. Consistency matters more than size or quantity! And when it gets tough, remember that it is not about earning God’s love, but rather about giving the gift of our hearts, little and poor as they are, to him. May the grace of the Holy Spirit abound in and around you, and have a very happy Lent!