With Lent about to begin, some of us will have thought and prayed about our Lenten resolutions for weeks, and are well prepared to commence this holy season.
Others of us will be hurriedly making our Lenten resolutions in the next few hours.
It doesn’t matter which of these camps you are in, or whether you are somewhere in the middle, below are some last-minute suggestions to either give you some inspiration if you’ve got a blank page, or to give you some variety.
They are based on Pope Francis’ Lenten Message for 2015, the theme of which is “Make your hearts firm” (James 5:8), and which addresses what he calls the “globalisation of indifference”.
1. Practise the presence of God
In his message, Pope Francis tells us that each one of us has a place in God’s heart:
“He knows us by name, He cares for us and He seeks us out whenever we turn away from Him. He is interested in each of us; His love does not allow Him to be indifferent to what happens to us.”
Often, we can think that God loves everyone. While that is true, it is also good to remember that He loves each of us individually, personally, consciously.
This Lent, try at least once each day to pause and acknowledge that God, at that moment, is attentive to you and present in what you are doing at that moment.
2. Call to mind those who are suffering when you are particularly comfortable
In the message, Pope Francis notes that:
“Usually, when we are healthy and comfortable, we forget about others… we are unconcerned with their problems, their sufferings and the injustices they endure… I don’t think about those less well off.”
At those moments during Lent when we might be at a celebration or otherwise experiencing a moment of unusual comfort or joy, maybe – instead of feeling guilty about it – we might call to mind and offer a prayer for those who at that time lack whatever it is we are enjoying.
3. Increase your Sacramental life
Pope Francis reminds us that:
“…we can only bear witness to what we ourselves have experienced… Only those who have first allowed Jesus to wash their own feet can offer this service to others. Only they have “a part” with Him and thus can serve others.”
During Lent, we can make an effort to increase our Sacramental life – not only because we often resolve to attend Mass more frequently and get to the Sacrament of Penance during Lent – but also with the understanding that this is one of the best ways to receive the graces we need to serve others.
4. Pick some saintly friends to accompany you through Lent
Pope Francis asks us to press beyond the boundaries of the visible Church. One way to do this, he says, is by:
“…uniting ourselves in prayer with the Church in heaven…. Together with the saints who have found their fulfilment in God, we form part of that communion in which indifference is conquered by love.”
The saints continue to accompany us and everyone on earth in our trials. Pick a couple of saints and ask them to join their prayers with yours during Lent. There is even an online “Pick a Saint” tool for this.
5. Remind yourself that Christ died and rose again for at least one person you encounter each day
The Pope reminds us of the missionary call of the Church, and goes on to say:
“In each of our neighbours, then, we must see a brother or sister for whom Christ died and rose again. What we ourselves have received, we have received for them as well.”
We will encounter many people every day during Lent, many with whom we are familiar, but many others who remain unknown to us. Maybe this Lent, we can try to remind ourselves during or after one of these encounters that Christ died for that person – specifically, and by name. We could finish off the thought with a quick prayer that the person will come to know Christ more deeply during this holy time (maybe ask for the intercession of your Lenten saint/s).
6. Pray when you hear a story of human suffering
It seems that every time we check the news, we are confronted by tragedy. Pope Francis warns us of becoming immune to this suffering:
“As individuals too, we are tempted by indifference. Flooded with news reports and troubling images of human suffering, we often feel our complete inability to help. What can we do to avoid being caught up in this spiral of distress and powerlessness?”
Pope Francis reminds us of the words of St Therese of Lisieux, who said that the joy in heaven for the victory of Crucified Love remains incomplete as long as there is still a single man or woman on earth who suffers and cries out in pain. So we can make a particular effort to pray through the intercession of our Lenten saints for mercy and healing.
7. Give to a local charity
Pope Francis tells us that one of the ways we can overcome indifference is by:
“…reaching out to both those near and far through the Church’s many charitable organisations.”
There are many great local charities (like the St Vincent de Paul Society, the Jesuit Refugee Service and the Capuchin Franciscan Friars of Australia) which do great things for the needy amongst us.
It is a practical way to help show our solidarity with the needy amongst us, and resist the temptation towards indifference.
8. Give to a foreign aid organisation
In the same way as reaching out to our needy brothers and sisters through local charities, we are also invited to extend our gaze to those suffering around the world.
One way to do this is by giving to an organisation which extends the embrace of the Church, and the mercy of God, to those suffering in other countries.
Two great examples are Caritas Australia through its Project Compassion campaign, and Aid to the Church in Need, which reaches out in particular to those areas where Christians are being persecuted around the world. Aid to the Church in Need also provides the opportunity to give offerings for Masses to be said by priests in persecuted areas around the globe.
Donations to organisations like these don’t only tick the “almsgiving” box of our Lenten observance, but also provide a way to unite our prayers and our charity this Lent.
9. “Jesus, make my heart like Yours”
Pope Francis invites us to use Lent as an opportunity for engaging in what Pope Benedict XVI called “a formation of the heart”. He says:
“A merciful heart does not mean a weak heart. Anyone who wishes to be merciful must have a strong and steadfast heard, closed to the tempter but open to God… During this Lent, then, brothers and sisters, let us all ask the Lord: “Make our hearts like Yours”.”
It is a simple prayer, but one which sums up what we are aiming for with our Lenten observance. Let’s pray it every day.
10. Pray for the Pope
Like all of his messages, the Pope finishes this one with:
“I ask all of you to pray for me.”
Let us make an extra effort this Lent to pray for the Holy Father.
Wishing you all a blessed and fruitful Lent.
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