Fasting is a powerful and beautiful way of living out penance and self-denial, both important aspects of the Christian life. Scripture affirms the importance of this form of sacrifice and prayer, “Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all...
We are in Lent – a season of renewal, a season of “leaning in,” a season of surrendering more and more. Lent is a sacred and beautiful season. What I’d like to propose is that Lent is a great time to focus on “living intentionally” – essentially “living on purpose.”...
I distinctly remember grade school lunches on Fridays. They were conveniently meatless. Then in high school, when Lent arrived, as I bit into my chicken sandwich, I looked up at my other Catholic friend at our table. We realized it was Lent, and we spit out our bite...
Lent is less than a week away. Doesn't it feel like we just finished taking all the Christmas decorations down? Now it's already time to start preparing spiritually for the 40 days of Lent. It is important to set aside some time to pray, discern, and listen in order...
Full of Grace In the first chapter of the Gospel of St. Luke, we hear that the Blessed Virgin Mary is to be the Mother of God. The Angel Gabriel greets Mary with a strange greeting. The angel says, recorded in the Greek, “Chaire, Kecharitomene… (Lk. 1:38).” St. Jerome...
As we move beyond our time of sheltering in place, how are we going to make the most of these past few weeks? What are we going to do to ensure that quarantine was not a waste? There is an image floating around on social media of an open refrigerator door, with a note...
The Best-Laid Plans The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry. We layout the best plans for our Lenten journey. We seek to approach Easter having undergone a well thought out and executed routine of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. If you are like me, this...
These Bible Verses Will Help You Decide How To Spend Lent Catholic-Link Lent Resources https://catholic-link.org/confused-lent-take-quiz/ https://catholic-link.org/7-ways-lent-food/ https://catholic-link.org/wild-scary-interior-lent-gospel-reflection/...
Mardi Gras rolls around every year, and every year I think "Oh shoot. What am I going to give up for Lent this year?" Now, for starters, I suggest that you consider what your Lenten practices are going to be before Fat Tuesday, but hey, we've all been there and just...
Have you been fasting this Lent? Sure, it's a struggle, but this ancient, scriptural, necessary Christian discipline is something Jesus expected and which Catholics for hundreds of years took as a given. (Check out our Illustrated Guide to Fasting) You're not supposed...
This week on the podcast we talk about the lenten practice of fasting. Fr Ian is fired up! The whole point of fasting during lent is to get our flesh in line with our spirit, since "the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak". To fast from good things for a time...
Growing up, I was regularly told that we were to abstain from meat on Fridays. So, when I moved to America a few years ago, I was surprised to hear many people tell me there was no longer a need for us to observe ‘meatless’ Fridays, as the Church had done away with...
The Lent Linebacker from New Catholic Generation is back to ensure that you stick to your Lenten promise and follow the days of fasting and abstinence. Cheat and you might find yourself getting tackled. The Lent Linebacker is lurking around every corner and ready to...
We all know Lent is a penitential time of the year. However, what often happens during Lent is that many of the penances we adopt revolve around fasting, abstinence and prayer. Some of us give up coffee, desserts or snacks, others take on spiritual practices like...
If changing your diet or giving up some item of food is not possible for you this Lent, read on to find out seven creative and challenging ways that will allow you to still partake in Lent! 7 Ways To Do Lent That Don't Involve Food 1. Get Creative For God Paint a...
When I was growing up, my understanding of Lent was that I wasn’t supposed to be eating candy, I got “black stuff” on my forehead at the beginning of the season, and we didn’t eat meat on Fridays. What it actually meant was beyond me; and to be completely honest, I...
What is the purpose of Lent? Lent is not simply a way to renew your commitment to a New Year's resolution or jump start your diet. It's much more than a tradition or ritual. Lent should be a time of spiritual renewal and purification that ultimately leads us to...
Holy Week should be the most important week of the year for all Christians. It should be the week in which we give of ourselves to the fullest in order to fully receive Christ during the Easter celebration. That's the ideal. However, we all know that sometimes...
So, we’re approaching the midpoint of Lent! How is it going for you so far?! No matter how you feel you’re doing, this is a good time to pause and reflect on what has happened so far and to remind yourself of the purpose of this important time. To help you, we’ve...
This post aims to compile some of the reflections the Lord has given me during a retreat I lived not long ago. They are not the result of my own inspiration whatsoever, but a true gift from God and the good preacher, whom God put in our path. In our lives, we are like...
Before we even start talking about fasting or abstinence, let's say something obvious: none of this makes sense outside the logic of faith. There are certainly psychological benefits and ways of explaining the cultural or social reasons for fasting and such, but...
This week we will begin the Lenten season. It is a beautiful time to grow in closeness to God and to others. This time can, if we are willing to cooperate, be 40 days of immense spiritual and personal growth. While the specific penances we choose are not...
I have just recently returned from an annual 5-day silent retreat. It was a beautiful time of reflection, meditation, and encounter with the Lord. Out of all the beautiful and challenging elements, one has struck me: the power of prayer. No moment expresses my own...
On Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, at the imposition of ashes, we hear the first words of Jesus in the gospel of Mark (1:15), “Repent, and believe in the Gospel.” His powerful and simple words provide us direction and guidance as we journey through the sacred...