We are called to enter into the season of Lent with a spirit of reflection, repentance, and renewal. Lent is a time for us to turn our hearts and minds towards God, confess our sins, and seek His forgiveness.

One of the main ways we can do this during Lent is by fasting and abstinence. Fasting, in particular, is a powerful way to discipline our bodies and focus on spiritual matters. By giving up certain things, such as certain types of food, we can learn to control our desires and rely on God for strength and sustenance.

Another important aspect of Lent is almsgiving, which is the practice of giving to those in need, whether it be through monetary donations or acts of service. Almsgiving is a way to show our love and compassion for others and put our faith into action.

Lent is also a time to focus on prayer and scripture reading, as it is a time to deepen our relationship with God and seek His guidance and wisdom. We can do this through daily devotions, Bible study, and deep prayer.

We’re also called to examine our hearts and confess our sins, as this is a time for us to reflect on the areas of our lives where we have fallen short and to ask for forgiveness. Confession is a time to acknowledge our faults and receive strength and grace to overcome them.

One of the most powerful ways to enter into the spirit of Lent is through the practice of mortification. Mortification is putting to death the sinful desires of our flesh; we can do this through fasting, self-denial, and other forms of self-discipline. It is a powerful way for us to crucify our flesh and follow in the footsteps of Jesus.

Lent allows for the space for us to focus on our spiritual growth in a concentrated way. We can do this by setting specific spiritual goals for ourselves and making a concerted effort to grow in our faith by reading a particular book (our community’s book club will be reading Confessions by St. Augustine), attending a retreat, or committing to a daily devotional practice.

In conclusion, Lent is a time to draw closer to God, confess our sins, and seek His forgiveness. It is a time to discipline our bodies, give to those in need, and deepen our relationship with God through prayer and scripture reading.

May this Lenten season be a time of reflection, repentance, and renewal for each of us as we seek to draw closer to our Lord.