From an old priest who acted as my spiritual advisor at UCLA twenty five years ago.....
(No this is not him)
Suggestions for Lent: prayer, sacrifice and generous deeds.
1. Basic plan: “DPC”
D: Carry out the little duty of each moment, with faith (God sees and knows even our smallest acts) and love (because Love is the measure of all things).
“Do you really want to be a saint? Carry out the little duty of each moment: do what you ought and concentrate on what you are doing.” (St. Josemaria Escriva, The Way, n. 815)
P: Patience! With yourself, with others, with things and traffic, with work and delays; early in the morning and late at night and in all the moments in between!
“Let nothing disturb you. Let nothing frighten you.
All things pass. God never changes.
Patience wills all that it strives for.
He who has God finds that he lacks nothing.
God alone suffices!” (St. Teresa of Avila)
C: Do not complain: in the morning or in the afternoon or at night; to yourself or to others or about others; out loud or on the inside. One exception: you may complain to the Lord if you love him enough.
“You complain? And you tell me you have reason to complain: One pinprick after another!... But do you not realize that it is silly to be surprised at finding thorns among roses?
(St. Josemaria, Furrow 237)
“What a contrast between Our Lady's hope and our own impatience! So often we call upon God to reward us at once for any little good we have done. No sooner does the first difficulty appear than we start to complain. Often we are incapable of sustaining our efforts, of keeping our hope alive. Why? Because we lack faith.”
(St. Josemaria, Friends of God 286b)2.
2. Added points for Lent: DP DC
P: Pray better: concentrate on prayer. Pray your usual daily prayers but with greater attention and greater fervor. After all, prayer is talking to God! And listening to God!
Pray more during Lent: add what you will and, in any case, make sure you try to pray well!
DPC (as above)
3. More for Lent: MCM
M3: Make a mortification at mealtimes. We all enjoy our meals and snacks in between. During Lent: make some sacrifice in terms of food and drink. Best to give up something throughout the weeks of Lent… and then give thanks to Our Lord for all the good things you eat and drink.
C: Charity. We should never leave Charity in the last place. It should take the first place. Love God with your whole being. Show love for the others God has placed around you. Love is creative; you will find the way.
M: Me! I have to add something very personal to my Lenten sacrifices. Each of us should ask Our Lord, as St. Paul did: “What would you have me do, Lord?” (Acts 9:6)
Comments