To help us prepare for the joy of Easter, the penitential season of Lent officially begins tomorrow. Ash Wednesday is so-named from the practice of imposing blessed ashes on the foreheads of penitents. The ashes themselves are traditionally made from burning the palms used in the previous year's Palm Sunday celebration, and invoke scriptural imagery, including, "All are from the dust, and to dust all will return" (Ecclesiastes 3:20), and, "I repent in dust and ashes," (Job 42:6).
Ashes are meant to remind us that we are mortal; just as God made us from the dust we will again return to the dust. Being reminded of our mortality, we should ponder our own death and whether we are prepared today for that eventuality. Are we in a right relationship with God? If the answer to that question is no, then Lent should lead us to repentance from our sins and a return to God. If we are in a right relationship with God, Lent can still lead us into a deepening conversion and draw us closer to Him.
What are you doing this Lent to make it a more prayerful time? How do you plan on getting to know Christ better, and love Him more intensely? The spiritual benefits of Lent don't just happen magically. You have to participate. If you are still unsure of how to do that, coming to our discussion Wednesday evening may help give you some ideas. Here are some other suggestions.
- You can sign up to get a Lenten reflection in your email each day. There are many services available to do that. Here is one.
- You can read a little bit of scripture each day and prayerfully reflect on it. The USCCB web site gives the readings from each day's Mass. It's a great way to get to know scripture better and to pray with the Church.
- Try to come to Adoration at least once a week; if the Adoration times don't work for your schedule, come spend some quiet prayer time in the chapel on your own.
- Pray like a monk! You can start praying one of the offices of the Liturgy of the Hours, just like monks, nuns, priests, and countless lay people do each day. You can find these prayers online at DivineOffice.org or download the app to your phone or tablet.
- You can spend Lent in a tent!
- You can give up, or lessen, something you are attached to - like coffee, Facebook, or sweets. But remember to accompany your sacrifice with prayer to reap the spiritual benefits.
These are just a few ideas to help you get the most out of Lent. We pray that this will be a season of renewal and spiritual growth for all of you.
Pax Christi,
Matt
WCU Catholic Campus Ministry
Matthew Newsome, MTh, campus minister
(828)293-9374 | POB 2766, Cullowhee NC 28723
