Lord! Who throughout these forty days,
For us did fast and pray,
Teach us with Thee to mourn our sins,
And close by Thee to stay.
Traditionally, Lent has been a time dedicated to the remembering of the 40 days Jesus spent fasting and praying in the desert to prepare for his ministry. It is a season of repentance and hope for church members. Like springtime itself, each Lenten season can be a time for spiritual rebirth and renewal.
DISCIPLINES OF TRUE FASTING (Isaiah 58:6-7)
True fasting can also be a time of feasting. Fasting can be a time when you could:
| FAST from judging others FEAST on Christ dwelling in them. | FAST from emphasis on differences; FEAST on the unity of all life. |
| FAST from apparent darkness; FEAST on the reality of all light. | FAST from thought of illness; FEAST on the healing power of God. |
| FAST from words that pollute; FEAST on phrases that purify. | FAST from discontent; FEAST on gratitude. |
| FAST from anger; FEAST on patience. | FAST from pessimism; FEAST on optimism. |
| FAST from worry; FEAST on God’s providence. | FAST from complaining; FEAST on appreciation. |
| FAST from negatives; FEAST on affirmatives. | FAST from unrelenting pressures; FEAST on unceasing prayer. |
| FAST from hostility; FEAST on nonresistance. | FAST from bitterness; FEAST on forgiveness. |
| FAST from self-concern; FEAST on compassion for others. | FAST from personal anxiety; FEAST on eternal truth. |
| FAST from discouragement; FEAST on hope. | FAST from facts that depress; FEAST on verities that uplift. |
| FAST from lethargy; FEAST on enthusiasm. | FAST from suspicion; FEAST on truth. |
| FAST from thoughts that weaken; FEAST on promises that inspire. | FAST from shadows of sorrow, FEAST on the sunlight of serenity. |
| FAST from idle gossip; FEAST on purposeful silence. | FAST from problems that overwhelm; FEAST on prayer that sustains. |
Suggestions for Family Activities
Lent is a time for discovering who we are. Those who love us mirror that identity for us. Set aside one day each week of Lent to affirm one member of your family. Serve his or her favourite supper. Have each person try to do something nice for the “special” person of the day. During the meal, have each family member mention a special quality that makes him or her unique.
Lent is traditionally the time for preparing for baptism. Make a Lenten altar. Prepare a small table with a linen cloth and place symbols of each person’s baptism on them – white robe, candle, etc. Include each child’s name and date of baptism and picture of your church. Don’t talk about it, wait until the children ask.
Learn to say, “I forgive you.” If someone hurts you and says, “I’m sorry,” respond with “I forgive you” instead of “That’s OK.” Practice saying, I forgive you in the family this Lent, and mean it. Once you have given your forgiveness, let go of the event.
First Week of Lent – THE HAND OF LOVE. Write a letter a day to a friend near or far away and tell him/her how much you appreciate their friendship.
Second Week of Lent – THE VOICE OF LOVE. Phone two or three people just to say what they mean to you or to say, “Thank you” or “I’m sorry”. Call people you’ve intended to phone but somehow never have. Remember, love and gossip don’t go together.
Third Week of Lent – THE DEED OF LOVE. Take something you have made or bought to two or three friends who mean much to you, but for whom you rarely express your love – a pie, a plant, a birdhouse, a small remembrance that has your love as wrapping.
Fourth Week of Lent – THE HEART OF LOVE. Make a list of ten people for whom you will pray daily. Include your friends, your enemies, those you don’t like. Forgive them if they have wronged you, and ask forgiveness if you have wronged them.
Fifth Week of Lent – THE MIND OF LOVE. Use this week to pray for yourself and look inward. Read the Gospel according to John. Plan during the week to do a little extra meditating and praying in a quiet place, such as a church.
Sixth Week of Lent – THE VICTORY OF LOVE. This is the week of celebration. God’s love for us is revealed in many ways. Get out of doors and breathe in the air of spring. Fly a kite. Have your friends in for dinner or a party. Let your joy be full with life abundant in faith, hope and love.
Living Lent Pamphlet
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops has produced a handy Pamphlet to help us celebrate a meaningful and fruitful Lenten season.
What does Lent mean? How do we keep it? What can our family do?
Download and print this pamphlet out and use it throughout Lent.
Living Lent Liturgical Leaflet edited by the National Liturgy Office and published by Publications Service, Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2500 Don Reid Drive, Ottawa, ON. K1H 2J2 Canada.
Copyright © Concacan Inc., 1986, 2002, 2006. All rights reserved. This text may be reproduced for personal or parish use. For commercial licence, please contact the publisher.