Posted on 02/26/2025 11:30:04 AM PST by CondoleezzaProtege
Before Ash Wednesday catches you unawares, make a point of sitting down and give some thought to how you want to spend this Lent...There are three holy practices which Catholics are called to embrace in penitential seasons such as Lent and Advent. These three practices are prayer, fasting, and almsgiving...When you make your Lenten plan, choose something specific from each category—and you’re set for a grace-filled journey to Easter.
1) PRAYER - Start by asking yourself: what are my prayer habits now? How much time should we set aside for daily prayer? Holy priests and spiritual advisors say that fifteen minutes is the absolute minimum. That’s a solid goal for all of us.
2) FASTING - The Bible spells out specific spiritual benefits of fasting. It produces humility (Ps 69:10). It shows our sorrow for our sins (1 Sam 7:6). It clears a path to God (Dan 9:3). It is a means of discerning God’s will (Ezr 8:21) and a powerful method of prayer (8:23). It’s a mark of true conversion (Jl 2:12).
If fasting still sounds intimidating, be encouraged. Keep yourself going strong all forty days by not fasting on the Sundays of Lent. In fact, Sundays in Lent are not officially part of the forty days. (If they were, Lent would be forty-six days long.)
3) ALMSGIVING - I was reminded by my parish priest that almsgiving is not the tithing you’re already doing—it’s giving above and beyond what you normally give.
For those who can’t give money, we can seek to give our talent... or our time (volunteering at a homeless shelter or pregnancy center).
Discuss it with Jesus. “Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).
(Excerpt) Read more at goodcatholic.com ...
The never ending penance of RCC is so sad. Christ is standing and offering grace and forgiveness, but the one who insists on working keeps the head down and misses the offer.
5 Reasons Evangelical Christians Should Consider Observing Lent
Good. Pray for us then. Over there... Quietly...
Reflect on what brings you closer to Christ but don’t mock those who are practicing what Jesus taught that brings them closer to Christ.
You do your thing in the name of Christ and we will do out thing in the name of Christ,
I remember kids who would give up okra.
For those who are into to that kind of stuff.
I considered it and gave it a hard no. Same for Christmas and Easter. I'll take Passover and the Biblical celebrated festivals that our Lord observed.
Indeed He is, which is why the most important thing for Catholics to do to prepare for Lent and to live it is to receive that grace and forgiveness in the sacrament of confession.
I think Lent parallels nicely with Passover, which is another perk :)!
When I was searching, the once saved always saved mantra, while appealing, never quite made sense.
Prayer and almsgiving are really NOT exclusively Lenten.
Almsgiving is usually weekly in a standard parish.
Prayer is DAILY...or ought to be daily and it doesn't have to stay in a church.
Lent never bothers me since Catholics can eat shellfish in lieu of meat. How can I feel deprived when I can still have shellfish?
Crab, lobster, clams, shrimp?? YUM!!
So, BRING in the Crab Louie, shrimp pasta, spaghetti alle vongole, seared scallops with remoulade, veal scallopini...I'm getting hungry just typing it.
Internet
Catholics in the United States who are 60 or older are not required to fast during Lent. However, they are still required to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all Fridays of Lent.
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LET THEM EAT FISH AND SHELLFISH!
Besides, I've never met a tuna sandwich that I didn't like.
Lol. Sounds like my first foray into Lent: giving up liver and lima beans.
Ugh
Purchase plenty of eggs.
Amen! I think it's just about going that extra mile this season with intention.
Matthew 9:14-15
Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come, when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.
Acts 13:2-3
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
Acts 14:23
And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting, they committed them to the Lord in whom they believed.
Matthew 6:3-4
But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Luke 12:33
Sell your possessions, and give alms; provide yourselves with purses that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.
Acts 10:2
[Cornelius] a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms liberally to the people, and prayed constantly to God.
Acts 10:4
And he stared at him in terror, and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God.
Acts 24:17
Now after some years I came to bring to my nation alms and offerings.
LOL i've seen so many hilarious memes going around of people bulk buying at Costco and the like.
Re: "Pancake Day" (aka Mardi Gras/Fat Tuesday aka Shrove Tuesday) -- it's far more observed in Europe, and particularly in England, than here...but I learned recently that IHOP offers unlimited pancakes on that day!!! Not exactly gourmet, but still!
I also posted a story on FR once of the history behind the Filet o Fish at McDonalds being offered with Catholics on Fridays in mind, and to this day during Lent it's special price! (At other chains as well!)
That's funny, I'm Catholic and I'm never sad during Lent (except over my own sins that I commit). The acts of Penance in the Christian tradition (year round and especially on Fridays and during Lent) are also an occasion of joy since it is performed to make us spiritually stronger and to offer our sacrifices "to make up what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ." (Colossians 1:24). It is actually a great privilege for Christians to be able to do so.
"Christ is standing and offering grace and forgiveness, but the one who insists on working keeps the head down and misses the offer."
Catholics and others accept both with joy. The Church does not teach that we "work our way to heaven", but that by denying ourselves, we make ourselves more open to the graces that God generously gives us. Practicing penance is not a matter of salvation, but of growing spiritually in Christ.
Protestantism is the fear that somewhere and somehow someone is having a good time.
The church we go to now is going to some lent service at another church soon. Since we don’t even know what lent is, we’ll opt out. (Sounds made-up.)
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