The following Lenten reflection originally appeared on Bishop Frank Caggiano’s Facebook page. Follow the Bishop for daily reflections and weekly videos throughout this sacred season!
It is hard to believe that we are only two days away from the start of Lent. In many ways, it seems that we just put away our Christmas decorations and now we are preparing for Easter! Given how easy it is to rush into this special time of penance and prayer without giving it the adequate preparation it deserves, I would suggest that we spend today and tomorrow reflecting upon how you and I can best use Lent for our continued spiritual renewal.
For my part, I have decided that this year, I will not make a choice between “giving up” something as an act of sacrifice and “doing” a spiritual work. Rather, I can do both together in the hope that the Lord, in His mercy, will grant me an ever greater personal renewal of faith, hope and charity.
How can I do both together? My decision is to “give up” one hour of my busy life to “offer myself” for one full hour in prayer before the Lord, in addition to my normal prayer routine. To give up one additional hour each day will be a true sacrifice, hard to maintain but long overdue. To spend the hour with the Lord is a spiritual work beyond price.
So, what will you “give up” this Lent? What will you “do” as a spiritual work? Can you find a way to do both together?
