Can you take my Lenten Challenge?

Don’t give up anything for Lent this year! Accept my Lenten Challenge instead.

Finding something to give up for Lent every year is a challenge, right? It’s almost like making a New Year’s Resolution – no candy, no chocolate, no beer!

What ends up happening is that instead of really living Lent, you treat it as a burden to endure. Lent turns into a time to detest instead of an opportunity to grow in your faith. What’s worse is that many of us become apathetic and forget what Lent is really all about. Apathy in our faith is dangerous.

This year, instead of giving something up, why don’t you take my Lenten Challenge instead? What’s my Lenten Challenge, you ask? You have opportunities this Lent for you to join your brothers and sisters in Christ in special events at your parish, I bet. All you have to do is commit to attending one event per week to grow and pray as a parish community. Jesus has called us to “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17) Lent is a time for us as a faith community to worship, praise, and repent together.

Here are some examples from my parish - Lenten Soup Suppers, Stations of the Cross, Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction, Prayer Groups, and Missions. Look and see what your parish is doing...I bet you will be surprised.

I guess in a sense, you will be giving up something…your time. However consider the rewards you receive by participating in these parish events:

* You will gain a deeper understanding of this most holy season of Lent
* You will be accepting the call from Christ to conversion and repentance (“Come after me and I will make you fishers of men…” Matthew 4:19)
* You will experience a more fulfilling Lenten season

Now, my challenge doesn't include Mass. Why? Because Mass is a normal obligation for us. The Lenten Challenge is summoning you to go above and beyond the normal requirements. Jesus went above and beyond for us by suffering his passion and death on the cross. Lent is a time for us to do the same.

But wait, there’s more! We all love guarantees, right? Well, here’s a special guarantee from me. I guarantee you when you accept the Lenten Challenge; you will walk away with a deeper love for Jesus and your faith and will be changed forever. How can we back this up? Easy…Jesus himself promises us to, “Rejoice and be glad, for your rewards will be great in heaven” (Matthew 5:12)

Vivat Jesus,

Dan

P.S. If you commit to this challenge as a family or as a ministry, it makes it easier! You will be able to share your sacrifice of time with others. There is great joy and accountability that goes with this. Commit today to taking the Lenten Challenge!

P.S.S. Want another Lenten activity to join in and meet the challenge? Sign up for times on the 40 Days for Life campaign. No matter where you live, there's a campaign nearby. Check out the PDF on this page for those of you in Washington.