Editorial
This Lent, let’s do all we can to share our gifts and be stewards of God’s love
We are again approaching the Lenten season, where as people of faith we observe the penitential practices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving.
Lent begins on Wednesday, Feb. 18, this year and concludes on Holy Thursday, April 2, leading into the Easter Triduum.
Our faith teaches us it is one of the most important seasons of the liturgical year, inviting us to slow down, turn away from sin and renew our relationship with God as we journey toward the Resurrection.
On their website, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops tell us, “During Lent, we seek the Lord in prayer by reading sacred Scripture; we serve by giving alms; and we practice self-control through fasting. We are called not only to abstain from luxuries during Lent, but to a true inner conversion of heart as we seek to follow Christ’s will more faithfully. We recall the waters of baptism in which we were also baptized into Christ’s death, died to sin and evil, and began new life in Christ.”
The bishops continue: “Many know of the tradition of abstaining from meat on Fridays during Lent, but we are also called to practice self-discipline and fast in other ways throughout the season. … In addition, the giving of alms is one way to share God’s gifts—not only through the distribution of money, but through the sharing of our time and talents. As St. John Chrysostom reminds us: ‘Not to enable the poor to share in our goods is to steal from them and deprive them of life. The goods we possess are not ours, but theirs’ ” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #2446).
Indeed, our faith teaches us all we have is a gift from God, yet some find it difficult to share them with others.
While some think of sharing in a monetary sense, it’s not the only way we can assist our brothers and sisters in need. But it could be a part of Lenten offerings.
How about fasting from a meal each week during Lent and sharing the money you saved by putting it in a church’s poor box or donating it to a worthwhile cause?
When it comes to sharing, why not take a portion of your time—which all of us find extremely valuable—and use it by volunteering at a food pantry or in another capacity at your parish or a nearby organization? Offering your time would be a great way to shine your light on others.
The six weeks of Lent also provide an opportunity to increase the time you spend in prayer. Share that added time you schedule for those in need. Stop by your church or any parish you pass going to or from work and offer petitions for the less fortunate, especially the hungry and homeless who struggle this time of year to find the sustenance and shelter they need. Pray for an end to the conflicts across the globe, and pray for family and friends who’ve asked for your prayers. If you know of a church with an adoration chapel, why not spend a few moments in prayer in the presence of our Lord?
The Lenten season offers us the opportunity to cleanse ourselves of the sins we’ve committed as well. As you’ll read on page 7 of this week’s issue of The Criterion, there are many opportunities around the archdiocese to receive the sacrament of reconciliation. We encourage you to cut out the Lenten parish penance service schedule, save it and visit a parish in the coming weeks to participate in this great gift and seek God’s forgiveness for the times you’ve fallen. God’s mercy is always available to us if we truly repent of our sins.
No matter what our vocation in life, our faith teaches us that we must be the hands and feet of Christ to our brothers and sisters in need, and we are called to see the face of Jesus in others and be the face of Jesus to others.
This Lenten season and beyond, let’s take the time to embrace those tenets of our faith and be unwavering stewards of God’s love.
—Mike Krokos