Lenten

What are you giving up for Lent? From the days of my youth, this question marked the beginning of Lent – forty days until Easter, forty days of doing without something. Whether the choice was to give up candy, soda or late-night television, the announcement of the decision was always followed by a question…Why?

The spiritual journey of Lent is traditionally marked by prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Clearly, the practice of giving up something can be connected to fasting. And so, by giving up I am actively engaged in Lent; giving up is my fast. In fasting I become aware of a physical emptying, a void which I can then fill with something other than my own needs…a void that I can allow God to fill with His mercy, His forgiveness, His love.

With God in my life, I realize that this relationship always needs work. And so, during Lent I pray…finding some moments of quiet to empty my mind of the busyness of life and focus on this God who is love and mercy. Add to that personal prayer, the needs and challenges others face, in your families, in our nation, but also in the Holy Land where Christians continue to live with an uneasiness of conflict.

And then there is almsgiving. Having made room for God, realizing God’s love and mercy for me, I am ready to respond to the needs of others, in faith with generosity.

Please join me this Lent by offering your own fast, with prayer, and with generosity to the work of the Franciscan Foundation for the Holy Land. Help me to support children and young adults who want to learn and provide a future for themselves and their families, to support families who struggle to remain in their homes in the place where Jesus himself lived and walked, to support the many social works of the Franciscan Friars throughout the Holy Land.

I ask you to prayerfully consider making a Lenten gift. Your gift becomes part of the quiet good that continues day after day in the places where it is needed most. It is one small act offered with love, and God knows how to use such gifts well.