3.3 271 What if you told yourself "you can do it"?
Fr. Max Oliva, SJ FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT
As we enter the first week of Lent, it is a good idea to look at the meaning of this time of the liturgical year. “Lent” comes from the Anglo-Saxon word, Lencten, which means spring. It was expressly commanded as a forty-day period of prayer in the year 360. Lent is the great paschal retreat of the church. It disposes us – by prayer, fasting, and good works – to more deeply remember the passion and death of Jesus. Lent exists only to lead us to Easter.
Lent helps us get back to basics, inviting us to a deeper understanding of who we are as Christians, where we are ultimately headed, and how well we are doing in our faith life. It is the season of metanoia, that is, of conversion; change of mind and heart to be more like the Lord. It is a time for a “fasting of the heart” – more for self-giving than self-denial, though both are important. Fasting from and Feasting on:
Fasting from judging others
Fasting from idle gossip
Fasting from lying to make ourselves look good
Fasting from the scourge of envy
Fasting from resentments and grudges
Fasting from some vice or addiction
And:
Feasting on kindness, compassion, and forgiveness
Feasting on patience and appreciation of others
Feasting on gratitude for what we have
Feasting on reconciliation
Feasting on optimism and hope
Feasting on love
