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Ash Wednesday
Read
Take inspiration for your
Lenten journey from
prayer and the
reading of Scripture, from
fasting and
from
giving alms. The fasting that we all do together on
Fridays is but a sign of the daily Lenten discipline of individuals and
households: fasting for certain periods of time, fasting from certain foods,
but also fasting from other things and activities. Likewise, the giving of alms
is an effort to share this world equally—not only through the distribution of
money, but through the sharing of our time and talents. The key to fruitful
observance of these practices is to recognize their link to baptismal renewal.
We are called not just to abstain from sin during Lent, but to true conversion
of our hearts and minds as followers of Christ. We recall those waters in which
we were baptized into Christ's death, died to sin and evil, and began new life
in Christ. Start Lent off by
watching this
video,
and get into the penitential spirit of the Lenten season.
Reflect
"By the sweat of your
brow you shall eat bread, Until you return to the ground, from which you were
taken; For you are dust, and to dust you shall return." (Gn 3:19)
Pray
"Grant, O Lord, that
we may begin with holy fasting this campaign of Christian service, so that, as
we take up battle against spiritual evils, we may be armed with weapons of self-restraint.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the
unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever." (Collect for Ash
Wednesday)
Act
Have you picked up
your Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl for Lent this year? Make a commitment
to dropping in spare change every day.
Another way to give alms today is by giving to the
National
Collection for the Church in Central and Eastern Europe.
