A TIME OF PENANCE, A TIME OF RENEWAL Lent

What is Lent? During this 40-day period each year the Church  unites itself to the mystery of Jesus in the desert. (Mt 4:1-11)  prepares to celebrate the Easter mysteries.  What are those mysteries?

Origin of Church Practice In 4 th and 5 th C., Church established a process for becoming Christian. At end of process (called “Catechumenate”), 40 day retreat to prepare for Sacraments at Easter Vigil.  Baptism  Confirmation  Eucharist For those already baptized, these 40 days were a time to  Pray for those preparing for Baptism  Remember their own baptismal vows  Who here received these sacraments at an Easter Vigil Mass?

Transformation of Practice Baptism shifted from adults to infants. Focus of Lent shifted from Baptism preparation to penance and mortification. Second Vatican Council restored baptismal character of Lent.

Baptismal Vows Do you reject sin so as to live in the freedom of God’s children? Do you reject the glamour of evil and refuse to be mastered by sin? Do you reject Satan, father of sin and prince of darkness?

Baptismal Vows, Cont. Do you believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth? Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary, was crucified, died and was buried, rose from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father?

Baptismal Vows, Cont. Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting? Each Lent the Church asks us to ponder fully these promises and to say once again “I do.”

Jesus Gives Us 3 Disciplines: Prayer… Mt. 6: 5-8 In prayer, we encounter and walk with God. In Lent we are encouraged to seek opportunities for:  Individual Prayer  Communal Prayer Attend mass Read scriptures (as a family before dinner?) Spiritual reading (saints biographies) Examine your conscience nightly. Visit church (Exposition) Rosary Stations of the Cross Change your meal prayer. Other ideas?

…Almsgiving…. Mt. 6: 1-4 Almsgiving is a penitential practice which involves giving money or other resources for the benefit of those in need. Give what you “save” through your fasting. Give away one possession every few days. Take a stand. Work for Justice. Listen. Visit the sick. Share a meal. Be Simon the Cyrenean. Help can by physical, emotional, or spiritual. Be complementary. Other ideas?

….And Fasting. Mt. 6:16-18 By refraining from eating, we signify our oneness with the Lord, acknowledge our need for conversion, and give witness to our solidarity with those less fortunate.  18 to 59 Ash Wednesday & Good Friday  One full meal a day. Food and drink (quantity or quality) Time (give of yourself to others rather than indulge in pleasure pursuits)  Shopping  Tv  Social media/video games Words – criticism, gossip, “tone” Bad habits. Worrying – rely on God. Other ideas?

Abstinence During Lent, healthy Catholics age 14 and older are required to abstain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday and every Friday of the season. These ancient practices help set our minds and hearts on God.  With hunger we can remember that only God will satisfy us. Abstaining from meat can be a sign of solidarity with the poor of the world.