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What I’m up to for Lent
Posted March 2, 2006 , By Joshua LeBlanc
So today is Ash Wednesday and the first thing we all ask each other is “What are you doing for Lent?”� Don’t take this as an attempt at false humility, but I usually don’t tell anyone what I’m giving up for Lent — I like to keep that between me and God, but I will tell you how I approach Lent.
During the lenten season I try and do three things:� Give something up, increase my prayer life, and tackle some imperfection about myself.� The last thing on my list is what I consider to be the most important.� Today I was giving a retreat to a group of teachers and I was telling them that sometimes during Lent we get so focused on what we can give up.� I like to use chocolate as an example.� I know plenty of people who give up chocolate for Lent and can’t wait until Lent is over so they can have their chocolate back.� This is good and fine but I always try to incorporate something into my lenten season that will be everlasting — at least that’s what I hope for.� I try to attempt to be a more virtuous person, to hopefully become more Christlike.� This year I’ve focused my attention on being a more happy individual.� I sometimes have a propensity towards grumpiness (Those of you who know me are sarcastically saying “No…not Josh!”) but seriously, I think in addition to the sacrificial aspect of Lent we also need to focus on drawing ourselves closer to Christ by attepting to become more virtuous - practicing the Cardinal and Theological virtues more.� When is the last time we admonished a sinner?� When is the last time we visit the imprisoned?� Lent is the perfect time to put our faith into practice more so that have sometime that goes beyond the 40 days!
Isn’t that the entire purpose of this season or grace?� To open our hearts to become more closely configured to Christ is, I think, one of the greatest goals of these 40 days.� We have before us this time in which we can open our hearts to Christ.� We have before us a chance to increase our holiness and maybe even help others on the path to holiness.� What we do during this Lenten season is not only important — our faith depends on it!
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