Lent is a forty-day liturgical season dedicated in a special way to fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. Fasting is a symbolic expression of our self-offering to God and of our detachment from all the transitory material things in this world (like food) in order to become open for spiritual values and to see clearly what really counts in life. In a word, fasting means to thirst and hunger for God. Prayer means reflecting on these questions – How’s my relationship with God? With others? How will I grow close to God during these forty days? Is there something I can’t give up which is hurting my relationship with God, with my family and friends? Are my values and priorities in proper order? Almsgiving means getting personally involved with the poor and compassionately helping them alleviate their plight.

As we begin this holy season let us ask the Lord to renew us and give us new hearts filled with love and compassion that we may embrace his will more fully in our lives and that we may respond with compassion to those in need.

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