People need to be reminded more often than they need to be instructed –
Dr Samuel Johnson

We enter the forty days of Lent, which does not include Sundays. Before He began his public ministry, Christ fasted and prayed for forty days in the desert (See Matt 4:1-2; Mark 1:12-13; and Luke 4:1-3). In imitation of Christ we enter a time, which is marked by fasting, praying and almsgiving, as well as reflection on how we live out our beliefs through our words and actions.

These practices are the building blocks of a sound Lenten spiritual experience. They help us in at least two ways: First they help us clear the clutter from our lives, clutter that distracts us from God. This helps us create more space in our lives for God. Second with the creation of space in our lives for God, God’s grace has more room to take root, grow, and enrich our lives.

Fasting is an ancient spiritual practice and it is not unique to Christianity. All major religions recognize the value of fasting. Fasting can mean more than simply eating less or not eating our favorite foods. It can mean taking more quiet time to pray and listen to God (fasting from conversation). It can mean reading scripture rather than watching our favorite T.V. show (fasting from entertainment). It can mean only shopping for necessities, food clothing and the like (fasting from spending on unnecessary things).

In prayer we turn to God, listen to his voice, and let him fill our hearts and guide us. We take time to deepen and broaden our prayer life by spending more time with Jesus and expanding our prayers to include others like our RCIA class, the ill, the homebound and maybe even that person we don’t like very much. We could make a commitment to pray regularly such as one minute when you first wake up and one minute before you go to sleep every day.
Almsgiving does not always mean money. We can donate time at a soup kitchen or help with our own food drive (feed the hungry). We can show hospitality to those in need (give drink to the thirsty). We can be welcoming to strangers or newcomers in our parish, city, or neighborhood (welcome the stranger). We can donate clothing to the Center of Concern, Salvation Army, or various shelters (clothe the naked). We can visit the homebound, the hospitalized, or those in a nursing home (visit the sick). We can join a Kairos team, jail ministry team, or sign up to pray for a jail retreat weekend (visit the prisoner). We can visit a cemetery, take time off work to attend a funeral, attend a vigil, pray for the dead and their families (pray for the dead). We can come out of ourselves and give part of ourselves to others.

Lent can also be a time to remember and to reaffirm our belief in the presence of the risen Christ in the Eucharist.
One of the shocking facts is how many Catholics do not believe in the real presence, that Jesus Christ is really, truly, and substantially present in the most blessed sacrament, body, blood, soul and divinity. The Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) of Georgetown University Studies have affirmed that there are significant numbers of Catholics who either do not believe in the real presence. The numbers range from 9% for those who attend Mass weekly to as high as 60 per cent for those who attend Mass occasionally. Even if the number were only .00001 % that is too many.

One thing Lent can do is allow us to look at how we conduct ourselves in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. Gandhi, who was a Hindu, is quoted as saying that if he truly believed that what was presented at the Mass was God, he “would be on his face.”

A lack of reverence can be expressed in many ways. Not genuflecting or bowing when you first come into the church and enter the pew. Not having a reverential attitude or respecting those praying before mass. Not paying attention during the Eucharistic prayer and during the consecration. Talking, looking around, instead of looking at the Body and Blood of Jesus at the elevation. Not making a sign of reverence when receiving the precious Body and Blood. A slight bow of the head is all that is called for. Also, when the Minister says the Body or Blood of Christ, the proper response is Amen, before you receive. This response needs to be spoken loud enough so the minister can hear you. Thank you is not the proper response.

Something I must constantly remind myself about is insuring I keep my voice down as I greet others before Mass. It helps if I confine my pre-mass conversations and greetings to the Narthex away from the doors into the nave.
How we dress communicates our attitudes as well. Now I’m not advocating suit and tie, even though that was the tradition when many of us grew up. However, beach wear or dressing like we are going to a night club presents a certain image as well. Do we come to church dressed in a manner that we would never consider wearing at our place of employment or going out to a nice dinner? Now there are times when dressing up is not possible, but, dressing modestly and appropriately is always possible.

Lent provides a very special time for some in-depth self-examination. To reflect on where we are with our faith and how we practice that faith. To reaffirm and refresh for ourselves what our Church teaches us. Reflect on how we deeply and reverently we live that teaching in or daily lives. Wearing a medal or crucifix is great, but we all must strive to live our faith in every facet of our lives every day.

I believe that outward actions reflect inward attitudes. Reverence begins in the heart. If we have reverence for this most precious gift the Lord left us, the gift of Himself, truly present in our midst, in our hearts, our reverence will manifest itself in our outward signs. We don’t have to speak a word because our actions will tell others how we feel and what we believe.

All of us who are adults can never forget that our actions communicate far more than our words ever will. The world around us often judges the Catholic faith by one person’s actions. Especially never forget young eyes and ears are watching our every move and listening to our every word.