Ash Wednesday is this week, and I've had it on my mind for some time now. This is, after all, a time of soul-searching and repentance. A time to sort "take stock," if you will. And this year especially, I need to take stock.
What I want to share during this season is a compilation of 40 ways to "experience" Lent. I know many of us decide to give up certain things during this time (sweets, soft drinks, foul language), but I challenge you to DO something instead of simply giving up something. Making a conscious choice to add something meaningful (prayer time, visit an elderly person) into your routine can also come as a sacrifice if it means choosing a quality activity over staring at the TV for 2 hours or gossiping on the phone. Besides, I have a little trouble with, "I'm going to give us cursing," because as one our priests has said: "Thank you for sparing me with that for the next 40 days only to pick it back up when Lent is over." That doesn't make a lot of good sense. I would love to be able to incorporate better habits into my routine that would continue long after the Lenten season is over.
So, in an effort to get us in the Lenten frame of mind before it begins on Wednesday, here is the first of the 40 ways to get the most out of Lent. (I chose this one because it is surely going to be a challenge for me but definitely something I need to try.)
Pray for your enemies. In fact, think of the person who has most hurt you or who most annoys you and spend several minutes each day thanking God for that person and asking God to bless him or her.
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