When Talking to Non-Catholics About Lent and Ash Wednesday...

(The Lent 2010 Catholic By Grace Column is reposted here for you. Feel free to hit the share button and pass it on.)

Non-Catholics don’t always understand Catholic faith practices. One Catholic tradition that sometimes perplexes non-Catholics is our Lenten sacrifices. Many years ago, I worked in a restaurant. The owner and all the waitresses were Catholic. My sister and I were the only non-Catholic employees – and we were both the daughters of a Protestant minister. For us, Lent was a time of watching Catholics . . . and wondering.

We served a fair amount of fish during Lent, rather than our usual orders of sandwiches and fried chicken. And our boss and the other waitresses ate the perch, pike and shell fish on Fridays - as did the patrons.

The topic of Lenten sacrifice came up every shift I worked. The other waitresses would poll one another. “What did you give up for Lent?” The answers varied. Some said candy, or Pauline’s homemade pies, or soda.

I have to say, I didn’t get it back then. I thought that Catholics did those things so that they would feel holy. I used to think it was a waste of time and effort. I knew there was little gained from feeling holy. One had to be holy.

I didn’t realize that faithful Catholics have a simple reason for everything that they do. They know they are not yet holy, but they want to become holy. Their number one desire is to be a saint.

And that’s what Lent is all about.

We die to ourselves, remembering our baptismal promises, and we hope to rise with Jesus Christ when Lent comes to an end. Every prayer, sacrifice, Mass, devotion and offering we make is to embrace the journey of faith that leads to holiness.

These things that we do as Catholics change us – or more accurately stated, the things that we do become a venue for God to change us. And I realize now that it does work, sometimes so slowly that others can’t detect the changes in the few short weeks of Lent. But it does work . . . in time. And so, Catholics keep at it.

There is a reason why Catholic schools and hospitals have a crucifix in every room. They help young students to learn to follow Christ in his living; they help the sick and dying to become like Christ in his dying.

There is a reason why the Catholic calendar takes us from Advent and then into Christmas, from Lent and then into Easter. The faithful want to journey with Christ – in order to rise with Him when it is all said and done.

Your non-Catholic family and friends may ask you what you gave up this year. It is possible, likely even, that they are really asking a far different question.

Why do you do all this stuff?

Make sure they know that you do it because you are not yet a saint . . . but if you walk in the footsteps of Our Lord long enough, He will change you. In time, they will see the change in you and begin to understand.

May you find that you are walking in step with Him as you journey to the cross. And may the bystanders see you at the side of Christ and begin to put it together. We are not yet holy, but we are opening every part of our lives to the One who can make us holy.

Blessed Lent!

When Talking to Non-Catholics About Lent and Ash Wednesday...

Dentist Postcard - Your Last Appointment Was. . .

I am the kind of person who relies on those postcard reminders from doctors and dentists. Sometimes, the postcard isn't even enough. Sometimes, the office has to take the time to call me and personally invite me to schedule my long overdue check-up.

The Liturgical Calendar is a little like those personal reminders. The Church has so many ways to remind us of important things, like repentance, and remembering our Baptismal promises, and journeying with Mary to Christmas (Advent), and journeying with Our Lord to Good Friday and Easter Morning.

If we have a tendency to let life carry us away, the Church is there to help us put things in the right order.

How long has it been since you went to Confession? Are you fully engaged in this Lenten journey? It's not too late to join the pilgrimage. Consider this your personal reminder. It's not too late.

Dentist Postcard - Your Last Appointment Was. . .

Facebook and "All About Me" - an exercise in discernment

If you are on Facebook, you've probably already been invited to write your own "All About Me" list. It seems sort of self-indulgent, doesn't it?

But I think there is something positive that can come out of studying the events of one's life as well as the quirkiness that make each of us unique. God speaks to us through life events. He whispers to us about our calling (daily opportunities and serious lifetime work) through our gifts, fears, experiences, acquaintances and family and friends.

Last night at Ash Wednesday Mass, Father told us to wake up every morning and tell God one thing: Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.

Sometimes, this is the precise moment that God will make us students of our own lives. Why? Because He has already "talked" to us through our life events and the gifts He deposited in us. Now that we have come to the place where we are servants who are ready to listen, He simply lays our life before us and says, "Look there."

He is the Master Teacher; we are the student. And we begin to study our own lives with His direction. Now, begin your "All About Me" list:

1. What are your greatest fears? How might they be obstacles that keep you from seeing (or doing) God's will? How might those fears be a provision by God to keep you safe from real harm?

2. What life events turned everything upside down in your life or sent you off in a new direction? (don't forget to think about what you learned or how you changed) How might these events have been the Hand of God in your life?

3. What was the first thing you knew you could excel at? What other talents showed up later? Is there any way these gifts might be meant to work in tandem for God? What kinds of things bring you the most "pure" joy? Art, music, academics, sports, being close to creation, animals, literature, children, politics, the elderly, technology) How might God use this as a venue to reach you? How might God use this as a venue for you to reach Him?

4. What are your weaknesses? Are there situations or people that bring those shortcomings to the surface? Use those moments as an opportunity for God to tell you what He wants to change in you. Consider those "enemies" a tool for sanctification. Consider that God may have brought them along in your life for the sole purpose of getting you to heaven (and not to make you miserable).

5. Who is your go-to authority figure? Whose advice do you most value? If this person were standing next to Jesus Christ, would there be any resemblance? If not, who in your life would be a closer match?

Ponder your answers. Sit quietly and let God speak to you. And remember to wake up every morning and say, Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.

Facebook and "All About Me" - an exercise in discernment

The Word We Entrust To Mary

In a few days (Ash Wednesday), we will put aside the word Alleluia. I write it in purple, because the background color for Lent will be purple. When I make that change, the word will seem to disappear from the post.

It will not be gone forever. When the background color changes to gold after the Easter Vigil (the liturgical color for Easter) we will again be able to see (and say) Alleluia.

Until then, we will entrust the word to Our Lady for safe keeping. And we ask that she will extend to us the Grace we need to journey through Lent.

Alleluia, Amen.

The Word We Entrust To Mary

Lent is Less Than a Month Away - Some Reading Options

One of the best ways to journey through each season of the Church Calendar is by choosing a good book as a travel companion. Liguori Publications has a great line of books specifically geared for Lent and Easter. Last year, I read Wisdom from Thomas Merton, and Wisdom from G.K. Chesterton, and Wisdom from Henri J.M. Nouwen. The series includes collections by other great theologians, so there is something for everyone.

I prefer to read the original works in their entirety rather than limit myself to books with editor-selected passages, but in our fast-paced society, most people do not have the luxury of reading the exhaustive works of great Catholic writers. For those who long to sit with the masters but simply do not have the time to do so, I highly recommend these pithy collections that combine wisdom with daily meditation, prayer and action.

Begin your search for a Lenten companion. And if you have a favorite title, post it in the comment box! We're always looking for a great Catholic read.

Lent is Less Than a Month Away - Some Reading Options