How is your Lent going, one week in?
If you’re like most of us, you need a little boost. The ashes have long washed off, the daily grind of duties begins to take over, and maybe you’ve forgotten exactly what you resolved to do or not to do this Lent.
At least, the spirit and fervor of your resolution may be flagging.
Take heart, and read through some of the Lenten resolutions that have been submitted to the Fathers for Good website. You will be encouraged, uplifted and brought back to the true meaning and spirit of these 40 days leading to Easter.
The resolutions, most of them from Knights of Columbus, range from the simple “Give up candy” to a more detailed schedule of prayer and penance worthy of a cloistered monk. But each one is inspiring in its own way.
Jim S. highlights an economic sign of the times when he writes that he will “try not to give in to despair while job-searching.” He should be helped by his other two resolutions: “spend 30 minutes in prayer and Bible reading each day, using the Church's Lenten guides ... try to reconcile with my parents before Easter.”
The temptations of our technology also play into many resolutions. Some have resolved to give up checking their Facebook account during Lent. Rob K. writes, “I am cutting out the extra-curricular time I spend on the internet as well as the movies I watch.”
Others take the familiar practice of giving up sweets and raise it to a supernatural purpose. A perfect example is Chris D., and his moving resolution:
“My grandmother passed away about a month ago and she LOVED ice cream, but she gave it for Lent every year. To honor her sacrifice my wife, kids, and I (kids 7 & 8) are all giving up ice cream for Lent. I am also going to pray with my wife each night.”
Others are observing Lent as a form of thanksgiving to God for great favors received. Ken C. explains, “As a recent recipient of a life-saving lung transplant at age 54, I have a Lenten resolution to look for one person each day during Lent, to help in some small way or at least give them a positive comment about them personally.
“This will allow me to make some small pay-back for the gift I have been given and also allow me, in private, to give thanks to God.”
One Fourth Degree Knight summed up the Lenten spirit nicely by reporting on a homily:
“I heard this from a priest at Mass this morning and I thought that it was something worthwhile doing. GIVING UP A SIN each day for 40 days; better than chocolate or some goody! If this is the case, might not have anything to confess before EASTER.”
A lofty goal, worthy of God’s grace!
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