“Lent is a season of intense prayer, fasting, and concern for those in need. It offers all Christians an opportunity to prepare for Easter by serious discernment about their lives, with particular attention to the word of God which enlightens the daily journey of all who believe.”

…Pope John Paul II, 7 January 2003

Lent is a gift to the Church for the purpose of “discernment”, or the “act of trying to understand.” In Holy Scripture the word “discernment” is used to describe the process of testing to ensure that something is genuine.

In the Psalms David calls for the gift of discernment as he prays, “Teach me, O Lord, to follow your decrees; then I will keep them to the end. Give me understanding and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart.” {Psalm 119.33, 34}

In 1 Kings, Solomon seeks divine wisdom when he prays, “…give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong.” {1 Kings 3.9}

And St. Paul writes in Philippians, “…this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ ---to the glory and praise of God.” {Philippians 1. 9-11}

Oh, to be filled with the ‘fruit of righteousness”, isn’t that a desire we share with St. Paul and all those in every generation who seek the heart of the Lord? How can we do that? What do we need to look at? We’re encouraged to look at four areas in our lives…four areas of discernment that can enhance our spiritual journey and deepen our relationship with our Lord. *

1. Where is Jesus is my life? As Christians our focus should always be on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, and our response to His invitation to “Come and follow me.” {Mark 10.21} During the Season of Lent, as we look into our own hearts and lives, it can be helpful to use a tool given us by St. Ignatius as he poses three questions for us to ponder.

1. What have I done for Christ?
2. What do I do for Christ?
3. What will I do for Christ?

2. Where is the Church Family in my life? The Christian journey is not meant to be traveled in a vacuum…in isolation. If we think we can live a truly Christian life apart from the church family, we’re fooling ourselves. Our decisions and choices cannot be separated from our relationship with members of our faith community. We’re blessed to have caring, faithful brothers and sisters in Christ. How am I serving the Church and my Church Family? Do I put as much energy and enthusiasm into my church life as I do other areas of my life?

3. Where is Love in my life? Jesus gave us a new command, that we love each other as He loves us. {John 13.34} As Christians, we’re called to a relationship of love that welcomes one and all… unconditionally. This is the very same love that St. Paul describes as patient, kind, not rude or boastful, bearing all things, believing all things, hoping all things, and enduring all things. {1Corinthians 13.4-7} How do I love the people around me?

4. Am I growing spiritually? As Christians we have a responsibility not only to be in Christ, but to grow…to mature in Him as well. St. Paul describes his own maturing in the Lord as a “race” in which the “prize” is “life in Christ Jesus” {Philippians 3. 12-14}. One of the most serious questions for our personal discernment is: Am I growing in the Lord? Am I studying and praying and seeking after my Lord?

Jesus Himself invites us to make this Lenten season a time of repentance, holiness and charity…truly a time of discernment enhancing our relationship with the Living God. During these upcoming days, we’re encouraged to be diligent in prayers and worship and study, to be faithful in Christian service, to be reconciled with anyone with whom we are estranged, and to reach out to someone who struggles in darkness, without hope or faith.

What a beautiful celebration Easter will be…when we have dedicated the forty days of Lent to discerning the Lord’s will for our lives and then dedicating ourselves to living according to His will.

May we all share in a Holy Lent!

Faithfully,

Kathy+

* Questions from…Spirituality Today, winter 1982, Vol. 34, No. 4, pp. 326-334.