Everything about Lent screams extreme. Jesus went to great lengths to show his love for us. His 40-day showdown with the devil in the desert offers a glimpse into his desire to take on all that it means to be human. He went all out. He surrendered to spiritual practices in the struggle against temptations that challenged every fiber of his being. (Read Luke 4:1-13)
“Go big or go home” means to give your maximum effort, take risks, and act boldly, or else not participate at all. It is an idiom promoting an “all-or-nothing” mentality, urging one to commit fully to a task—whether it is a project, sport, or competition—rather than doing it halfway. Jesus did it. He went “big” in the desert, but he didn’t stop there. In his preaching, forgiving, and healing, on the road to Calvary, on the wood of the Cross, in the cold dark tomb, on the morning of the Resurrection, in his extreme and boundless love for us, Jesus went “BIG.”
What’s the point? This Lent, “Go big or go home!” Jesus gave his all for us. Now it’s our turn. Applying “go big or go home” to the three pillars of Lent—prayer, penance, and almsgiving—means moving beyond minimal requirements in search of a radical, interior conversion of heart, to grow closer to God and each other, and to renew the baptismal commitment that binds us together in God’s family, the Church. This Lent, go above and beyond!
Prayer: Beyond the Pews
Going big in prayer isn’t just about saying more words; it’s about making God the absolute center of your daily schedule.
· Radical Commitment: Instead of just five minutes, block off a full “Holy Hour” in Adoration each week or attend daily Mass. Pray the rosary with your family.
·Spiritual Immersion: Replace secular media with high-impact tools like Hallow’s “#Pray40 Lent Challenge” or Father Mike Schmitz’s “Bible in a Year” podcast to saturate your mind and heart with Sacred Scripture. Join “Exodus 90.”
·Bold Intercession: Commit to praying and fasting for one specific person with the intent to tell them about your sacrifice at Easter.
Fast & Abstinence: Beyond Meatless Fridays
The Church requires fasting and abstinence from meat on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, and abstinence from meat on all Fridays of Lent. A “go big” approach adopts daily discipline to tame the senses, to stretch the limits of our self-control, to learn to “put the brakes on” when our passions start to get the best of us.
· Ascetic Living: Go beyond giving up chocolate; fast from all snacks, alcohol, or even “digital noise” like social media for the entire 40 days to create a “spiritual hunger.” Hunger for holiness; hunger for the Lord.
·Physical Penance: Practice “Heroic Moments” by waking up without hitting snooze or taking cold showers to offer immediate physical discomfort to God. You’ll save water and energy and be wide awake to face the day.
·Social Fasting: Fast from complaining or gossip, choosing instead to be cheerfully kind to those who irritate you the most. Fast from self-destructive and sinful behaviors and habits.
Almsgiving: Beyond Loose Change
True almsgiving according to the “Catechism of the Catholic Church” is an act of justice that recognizes that our goods belong to the poor.
·Sacrificial Giving: Don’t just give from your surplus; give until it impacts your lifestyle. Cancel a streaming service and redirect that $10–$15 monthly to a charity like the CRS Rice Bowl or your parish’s food cupboard or respect life ministry.
·Radical Mercy: Perform the Corporal Works of Mercy person-to-person. This could mean volunteering weekly at a soup kitchen or donating portions of your wardrobe and possessions to people in need.
·Gift of Self: Offer the “alms” of unconditional forgiveness to someone who has hurt you, or give your undivided attention to family members without distractions. Spend time visiting the sick or someone in prison. Make a good confession if it’s been a while.
The word “lent,” meaning a long or extended period of time, finds its origin in Old English. Much like the word “length,” lent implies the measurement or the calculation of distance or difference between objects. What are 40 days compared to eternity? Not a very long time really. Go all out, above and beyond! It will make all the difference now, this coming Easter, even into Eternity! Go big this Lent!
Make a plan to “Go Big!” and share your “Go Big” Lenten plan with us on Facebook or Instagram.
Bishop Bruce wants to hear how you are answering his challenge to "GO BIG" for Lent on Facebook or Instangram! Visit https://provd.io/Links, click on your favorite social media channel, and share your GO BIG plan! Or visit https://www.dioceseofprovidence.org/go-big!
