Weekly Meditation
The three words -- prayer, fasting and almsgiving (charity) -- so descriptive of Lenten life are like directional signposts for our 40-day journey through this special season preparing us for the paschal mystery of Easter. As baptized Catholics, we are already committed to following Christ. Lent, however, urges us to "catch-up" to Him a bit and "catch" the spirit of his value system in the way we live our baptismal promises.
Life for many of us is fast paced and overwhelmed by noise and activities, much necessary and responsible for our duties in life, other added on and chosen in the prevailing culture of our times. How do we slow down and spend even 8-10 minutes of quality time each day in quiet prayer? It is a challenge for many but it can be a real "lenten sacrifice" if we can resolve to do it, regardless! These few minutes of such prayer can help us deepen our friendship with Jesus and to realize better and better that He really calls us ‘to love God above all and to love others as Jesus love them and us.'
May Lent be for every Christian a renewed experience of God's love given to us in Christ, a love that each day we, in turn, must ‘re-give' to our neighbor, especially to the one who suffers most and is in need.
- Pope Benedict XVI Lenten Message
Bishop William R. Houck
President Emeritus