Lenten suggestions

I can’t believe ASH WEDNESDAY is this week.  That means Lent is here and we have hardly exhaled from Christmas. (Not to mention, I feel like I’ve been in a sort of lent for 10 months now)  I’m not really sure I am ready for LENT, but ready or not…here it comes!!!

So, just as everything else in this past year Ash Wednesday will be different (there was an article in the bulletin last week explaining a bit about the distribution of ashes this year).  Even the theme that the Catholic Community of Waukesha will be promoting will be a bit different for a Lenten theme:  The Gift of Sunday – NOURISH YOUR LIGHT.

Maybe this is a great way to approach what is normally seen as a more “dismal” time of the year.  Not bad enough that it is winter in Wisconsin with clouds and cold, but traditionally Lent is when we GIVE UP things, abstain, go without.  (wow, even as I type this it seems rather depressing).  Don’t get me wrong, all of this can actually be good.  However, I am in need of POSITIVITY right now and perhaps this is the way to do it. 

Let’s see how we can NOURISH OUR LIGHT because when you feed a flame/light it becomes brighter for all those around.  And really, even in the traditional Lenten activities (prayer, fasting, almsgiving) we can look to nourish rather than deprive because each of these things should be leading us closer to God.  As our light gets closer to THE LIGHT, it is nourished and then can actually nourish others.

Let’s find ways we can love others better because love is a great form of nourishment. Find a prayer style that works for you on a daily basis (1% of your day is only 15 minutes).  Fast from destructive behavior (judging others before getting the full story, gossiping, self-indulgence).  Give of yourself in random acts of love (at least once a week give of your time, talent, treasure out of love). Sharing the love you receive from God with another person not only nourishes your light but boosts the light of the other person as well.

To help nourish your light and the light of your Domestic Church, check out the many offerings in our FORMED subscription, there are many things to learn there.  In conjunction with the theme THE GIFT OF SUNDAY, I would recommend a series of many 3-5 minute episodes on the Mass, The Elements of the Catholic Mass with Fr. Douglas Martis. I found it very interesting and nourishing for the Sunday experience.

Let’s do something to brighten our community, our homes, our lives by NOURISHING OUR LIGHT.

(If you need help getting on FORMED please let us know.)

Fr. Chuck Wrobel