Lent is a good time to grow spiritually
Lent will soon be upon us. These six weeks of preparation for Easter should be a special time for all of us. The time called “Ashes to Easter” should be a time when we try to grow spiritually. The church has traditionally suggested three ways: prayer, fasting and almsgiving.
As far as fasting goes, we usually give up something we like very much. For instance candy, an adult beverage or cigarettes. Sometimes, however, there was an ulterior motive such as losing weight or getting healthier.
Almsgiving meant giving money to good charities. In the Diocese of Providence, we hold the annual Charity Appeal which is perhaps the best way we can help the diocese in its works of mercy. I might add that the Episcopal Diocese in Rhode Island also has a charity drive for their good works.
I might add a new method of observing Lent is as an opportunity to grow. For Catholics one might consider attending daily Mass which is the greatest Christian act we can perform. We listen to the scriptures and the homily and then feed at the Eucharistic banquet. For Catholics and others we could take advantage of the various programs that might be offered at local churches. Many parishes have a local mission or retreat. This fulfills the need for Lenten prayer. And that is what I’d like to speak about here.
Here at Holy Family we will have a Monday evening (7) prayer service to which all are invited. Each week a different church leader will share the scriptures and offer a homily.
On Feb. 15, Pastor Carl Delorey from the Millville Baptist Church will be our guest preacher.
On Monday, Feb. 22, the Reverend Eileen Morris, pastor of Slatersville Congregation Church will be the preacher.
On Feb. 29, Br. Enoch Valentine, an Episcopal brother and gifted organist will be in the pulpit.
The following week, March 7, we will welcome Fr. Christopher Murphy, who works in the Diocesan Vocation office and is chaplain at Hendricken High School, as our speaker.
On March 14, Brother Clifford King, who is a brother of the Sacred Heart and a teacher at Mount St. Charles Academy, will lead us.
Finally on Monday in Holy Week Bishop Louis E. Gelineau the former bishop of the Diocese of Providence will lead us.
This will be a wonderful opportunity to deepen our spiritual lives in the context of prayer. A question and answer period will follow each night.
Another opportunity for spiritual growth would be the reading of a good spiritual book during the Lenten season. The first choice in this area would be to read the Scriptures and maybe even purchase a commentary of the Scriptures to deepen our understanding of what we are reading in the Bible. There are many other books that are available including the lives of the saints so that we can see how these holy people lived out their faith lives.
Do not let this sacred time go by without doing something special. Unfortunately we live in a very secularized society where we put God on the sideline. Do you get more excited about Tom Brady and the Patriots than you do about God and your spiritual being?
Lent might be a good time to analyze your priorities.