Column by Jonathan Nagy
“Lent stimulates us to let the Word of God penetrate our life and, in this way, to know the fundamental truth: who we are, where we come from, where we must go, what path we must take in life.” —Pope Benedict XVI
Preparing and reflecting on the season of Lent often brings back core memories from my childhood. I can remember for weeks building up to the season contemplating what I would give up for 40 days. I recall that no matter what I gave up – video games, sweets, television – my brother was always there trying to tempt me into breaking my fast or deliberately chose to not give up what I chose. As a child, I was always looking for the “loopholes,” wondering if Sundays in Lent counted as days of Lent or if I watched TV or played games for “educational purposes” if it would still count, but in the end, I always felt the best if I maintained my abstinence from whatever I had chosen to forego.
I remember receiving coin folders at my Catholic school and my parents held me to filling up my folder. The feeling of accomplishment that I felt from turning in the completely full folder was one of pride and joy. While in the end it was only a few dollars, it made me feel good about gathering the money for a purpose and knowing that my sacrifice went to support others less fortunate.
I also remember as a Catholic elementary school student attending weekly Stations of the Cross. It was ingrained in us from a young age that walking the journey with Jesus was the best way we could feel the pain He bore for us. I remember one year in particular, which I believe was 4th grade, when my classmates and I all came down with chicken pox the same week. That week also was to be the week that we were to lead the Stations of the Cross. I felt devastated that I would not be able to read my particular stations, which I had spent so much time preparing. To my memory, this would have been the first time that I would have read in church, and would have completed my “trifecta,” as I was already and altar server and a member of the children’s choir. Sadly, I would have to wait until the following year as other grades had their weeks established.
Little did I realize then, but those activities laid the very foundation in my young heart for the pillars of Lent – Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving. Looking back, I now cherish those building blocks of my faith, which were so very important in developing who I am today. In subtle yet poignant ways, my family, my teachers, and my pastor all impressed on me the value of maintaining such a dutiful Lent. Don’t get me wrong, as a child, forty days felt like forever! If you ask my mother, I’m sure many times I complained about wanting to “give in” regarding what I chose to give up, contributing to my coin folder, or going to Stations. After Lent was over, it always felt like it went by so quickly! The joy of Easter would come with its beautiful flowers, jubilant hymns, and happy family gatherings, but as Bishop Fulton Sheen once said, “Unless there is a Good Friday in your life, there can never be an Easter.”
I would like to take these childhood reflections and use them as a basis for some practical adult advice for all of us for Lent. Think deep in your own minds of the seasons of Lent of your childhood and the seeds that they planted for you today. Consider how God has worked through you all these years to get you to where you are now and where you are intended to be.
As much as I can nostalgically reflect on the past, let me first acknowledge that Lent is hard. Lent is meant to be hard. It is intended for us to reflect and think inwardly about our relationship with God and others. It is supposed to make us see how fortunate we are and how we should share with others. Good Friday is meant to be sorrowful, the hymns are designed to evoke sad emotions, and the readings used are designed to make us feel uncomfortable. Saint Catherine of Siena wrote, “Nothing great is ever achieved without much enduring.” We can achieve greatness with God through our Lenten sacrifices.
Despite the somber tone of Lent, after all Jesus died on the cross for our sins, the season is a beautiful one. It is designed to bring us closer to God through sacrifice by the actions of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. It is a journey we must take toward the cross which is not the end of the path but the beginning. God allows us to bear crosses, but we are not meant to carry them alone. Even Jesus had Simon of Cyrene help Him carry His cross. God is with us every step of the way and will assist us on our journey.
Pope Saint John Paul II once said, “The purpose of Lent is not to force on us a few formal obligations, but to ‘soften’ our heart so that it may open itself to the realities of the spirit, to experience the hidden ‘thirst’ for communion with God.” I realize now, all of these years later, how that quote truly sums up my experience as a child during Lent and how it should also impact us today. By “taking away” certain things in our lives, we can be more open to what God has ready for those who love Him.
We may find ourselves in silence by giving up television, social media, video games, or other distractions. We can more clearly hear God speaking to us. Silence can be unnerving and uncomfortable for many people, and again, that is the point. Being detached from this world so that we can prepare for the next is something that frightens so many. Looking at society today, so many are attached to their devices or feel the need to be in constant communication with others. At times, I find myself guilty of this as well.
One activity that I find most enjoyable is prayerful silence in front of the Blessed Sacrament at Adoration. Prayer can definitely be a challenge for those who are not used to a fully engaging experience. Saint Jose Maria Escriva said, “You don’t know how to pray? Put yourself in the presence of God, and as soon as you have said, ‘Lord, I don’t know how to pray!’ you can be sure you’ve already begun.” Often, just sitting in silence in front of the monstrance, tabernacle, crucifix, or some other holy object, controlling breathing, and focusing on Jesus can open us up to His message. Often, through deep prayer, we learn what His plan is for us. Saint Teresa of Calcutta once said, “Lent is a time for us to empty ourselves of worldly distractions and allow God to fill us with His love, His grace, and His peace.” May we take time during Lent to clear ourselves of the worldly distractions that plague us. I promise you, the work, the fun, and the banter with friends can wait a little bit until you finish your one-on-one conversation with your Savior!
In terms of charity, there is an old phrase that says, “Give until it hurts.” Charity is not supposed to be painful. Painful, overstretched charity brings with it a sense of remorse and stress. We may not all be called to be Saint Francis of Assisi, but we are all called to be charitable and give what we can. One of the most beautiful hymns is “Where Charity and Love Prevail.” The first two verses are as follows:
Where charity and love prevail,
there God is ever found;
Brought here together by Christ’s love,
by love are we thus bound.
With grateful joy and holy fear
His charity we learn;
Let us with heart and mind and soul
now love him in return.
The very meaning of charity is to help each other in whatever ways we can. Yes, charity definitely involves financial contributions but is also involves the giving of ourselves wholly in Jesus’ Name for the benefit of others. Our time and our talents are just as meaningful as the money we put in the collection basket. We can all volunteer our time a little more during Lent or use our God-given talents to assist others. We are bound together by His love, and it is that love which will carry us through this life to the next. Not only is Lent about “giving up something,” it should also be about doing something extra, in whatever form of charity we can imagine.
These are just a few thoughts and examples on how to make this season meaningful. Lent can be very personal to each person, and our sacrifices are not meant to be broadcasted to everyone as we may do as children. The subtle changes that we make in our lives can have monumental impacts on who we are and what we do. They say it takes 21 days to develop a habit. We have forty to take our Lenten devotions and make them permanent changes in our lives.
I pray that everyone takes the time this Lent to truly reflect on the message of the season and how to prepare ourselves. Jesus gave everyone around Him the gameplan for how to handle His passion, death, and resurrection, and they still were not prepared. We know what is to come next. We see how He is giving us time for preparing. But are we doing it? Do you want to make this the “best Lent ever?” Reflect on your past Lents and how they have led you to this point, right here, and right now. God is giving you a message, and I pray that you are open to receiving it and His love!
Jonathan Nagy, M.Ed., is the Principal of Bishop Carroll Catholic High School in Ebensburg and the Music Director at the Basilica of Saint Michael the Archangel in Loretto.
