Thomas Griffin 2/9/24
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Too often we are reactive rather than proactive.
This is the last week before we enter into the season of Lent. Ash Wednesday will mark the first day of the holiest season of the year. Since life can become easily hectic, there can be a real inclination to stroll into Lent without being intentional about what we want from it. We can too easily, if you are like me, make Lent about completing tasks rather than being more faithful.
Here are some practical steps and reflection questions that might allow us to take a stronger hold of Lent so that it can transform us from the inside out.
It is all about prayer. Yes, Lent invites us to strongly consider prayer, fasting and almsgiving. We should reflect on how we can improve and do more of all three. However, we know that prayer is the bedrock for holiness because it is in prayer that we truly meet the living God.
First, do you pray? If you do pray, how long do you pray for each day and where do you pray? Would you say that your prayer is more about reciting prayers than speaking to Jesus as a friend? Our answers to these questions can vary depending on the state of our life and the circumstances that we find ourselves in this week. A better question might be, what do you desire from your prayer life?
Prayer is not a part of your relationship with God. Prayer is not one aspect of your faith life. Prayer is your relationship with God. It allows us to spend time with and communicate with the God of the universe who made the million and billions of stats and million and billions of galaxies. Prayer unites us with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. So, when you pray, do you feel connected to God?
In order to receive more through our time with God there are several practical steps that can prepare us for deeper intimacy with Him. First, commit to actually praying. Promise God that you will give him a certain amount of time at a particular time of day that is His. Give Christ ownership over some of your time and make the promise to him. This is what friends do. They schedule time to be with each other and they keep their promises.
Second, enter into silence and a space free of distractions. Place your phone on silent and put it in the other room. Wake up early before your family arises or find a quiet place in the home later in the evening. Be alone and quiet your mind down before you begin your prayer time. Place yourself in God’s Presence by calling to mind the fact that he is with you wherever you find yourself.
Third, place a crucifix close in front of your view or even hold it in your hands during your prayer time. Contemplate the cross this Lent like you never have before in your whole life. Stare at Jesus’ lifeless corpse hanging from the tree. Try to hear what it would have been like to hear his screams from the cross and see the blood pouring out from his wounds. Take notice of the suffering he was willing to endure for you daily. Focusing on the cross gives us an image to center out attention and heart on while also allowing Christ access to our hurts and wounds.
Lastly, make Lent a time to fall back in love with the Scriptures. If you read them regularly then decide to read them slowly. If you have never really read the Bible on your own then begin with Mark’s Gospel and meditate on the words and actions of Jesus. Make prayer this Lent about the Person of Jesus Christ.
Ultimately, he is the One that wants to take hold of our hearts. This holy season is given to us in order to wake us all up from the slumber of our busy lives. As we enter into it let us take hold of the reason for the season from the outset. We have a God who stoops down to meet us every single day. This Lent, let Him take hold of you – promise to pray like you never have before.
Thomas Griffin is the chairperson of the religion department at a Catholic high school on Long Island where he lives with his wife and two sons. He has a masters degree in theology and is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Empty Tomb Project: The Magazine.
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