For prayer, fasting, and penance, otherwise known as Lent!
Since tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, I thought I’d post a little about my plans for the season. I am a perfectionist. I have the tendency to think, “Ah, this year! This Lent is going to be the one that changes my life!” So then I make a long laundry list of spiritual goals to achieve. And by the second week of Lent I’ve failed at my goals and given up, or like last year, a curveball of a life event is thrown at me, and I completely forget it’s even Lent until Palm Sunday. Oops.
This past Sunday, our priest’s homily was about preparing for Lent. And he said something really important, which I needed to hear. Set reasonable goals for Lent. You will not become an expert in contemplative prayer or a mystic in 40 days. This Lenten season can be called a success if you come out of it a little bit kinder, a little bit holier, and a little bit less attached to the things of this world.
One of my major flaws (sins I guess might be more accurate) is that I feel I must do everything perfectly, and if it is not done perfectly, I usually abandon it in favor of doing nothing. Or starting a new project.
This Lent, I am taking on a new project, namely, taking on smaller spiritual goals with the hope of actually following through with them.
So here’s the plan:
Read Imitation of Christ by Thomas A Kempis. This is a spiritual classic, and one I haven’t read before. It too has short chapters, so I thought Lent would be a great time to read it through.
and read The Power of a Praying Wife by Stormie Omartian. I picked this book because I like the idea of praying one chapter each day (there are 30 short chapters) throughout Lent.
Pray the rosary 3 times weekly.
Attend daily Mass once during the week.
15 minutes (at least) of personal prayer daily to cultivate the virtue of gentleness.
Abstain from meat on Wednesdays as well as Fridays.
Make a donation to Catholic Relief Services based on the amount of money we would have spent on meat during Lent.
Some people might think it’s a bad idea to talk about what you are doing for Lent, that it violates the spirit of the sacrifice or something to that effect. I suppose that could be true, but I’ve had many experiences of feeling inspired and energized by reading or hearing about the spiritual goals and desires of others.
What’s your Lenten plan?
You’re right! I feel inspired when I hear what others are giving up for Lent. Thanks for sharing your list! I plan on praying the rosary daily, giving up complaining (no, really)and coffee.
I like the books you selected, and I think taking on a new book is a great task to accomplish during Lent!
Oh my goodness! I laughed when you described your perfectionism- it was totally a description of me! I too find inspiration in hearing others goals.
Lent is truly my favorite time of the year and last year was really hard for me being in the truck, but I’m really hoping that I’ll be more focused this year. Paul and I are going to pray are daily rosary together when we are able to (I have to stay home for some upcoming dr. appts). I will be reading a book I was given that I can’t think of the name of (i have to pick it up when we go home tomorrow), but is the story of a woman whose secret journal caused her athestic husband to enter religious life after her death. I also feel that God is calling me to mortify my flesh- I HATE exercising when its cold, but I have become pretty unhealthy recently and feel that I must take better care of the body God has gifted me with.
Have a wonderful Lent!
I’ve had a copy of The Imitation of Christ for a long time but never have read it. Maybe I’ll start reading it this Lent too!
I think sharing what you are giving up once is a good idea, I just try to not make a big deal of my sacrifice throughout the season.
For example, my Dad and step-mom do not observe Lent, so if I were to be at their house on a Friday for dinner, it would not surprise me to be served meat with dinner. I would just politely not add the meat dish to my plate. I very much enjoyed this process last year, as I said a silent prayer of gratitude each time I would pass on something without announcing it.
I’m focusing on Praying the Rosary this Lent. Oh, and considering giving up sweets. We. will. see.
“The Imitation of Christ” should be required reading of all Catholics. I read it over 20 years ago and it has stayed at my prayer table since then. I pick it up often for insppiration during dry times, and when I need something to reflect upon. I have several different versions of it and they all offer something different. It is dynamite. Happy Lent!!