GUEST EDITORIALS

Lent is a time of sacrifice and spiritual reflection

Posted

Sacrifice is a great part of Catholic Lenten practice. One of the most common questions during Lent is: “What are you giving up?” Abstaining from our favorite food or dessert is good. It helps us to realize the abundance we have in our lives, and be mindful of the many people who go without.
Depriving the body of something we desire also helps strengthen the will to avoid evil and practice virtue. And although giving things up is good, Lent should also be about doing something extra. Volunteering at a local soup kitchen, visiting a shut-in or driving someone to the supermarket are just a few of the many possibilities. There are so many ways we can reach out to people in need. Acts of charity remind us of the many blessings in our lives and the many people around us who go without.
During Lent, we must also focus on our spiritual life. I suggest reading the life of a saint. Connecting with the Church’s heroes inspires us with a greater desire for our call to holiness. They remind us that we are not alone in our struggles and that it is possible for us to become all that God wants us to be. Visit your local Adoration Chapel. Spend some time with our Eucharistic Lord. Go to Confession. Allow Our Lord to clean out the cobwebs in the corners of your soul.

Father Jay Finelli serves as pastor of Holy Ghost Church in Tiverton, and hosts the iPadre Catholic Podcast & Blog, which can be accessed by visiting www.iPadre.net.