Fr. Dwight Longenecker6. Turn off the screens for Lent. Stop the TV. Cut back on Facebook and computer stuff. Read some good books. Feed the soul – Don’t consider me too demanding if I ask you once again to set great store by holy books and read them as much as you can. This spiritual reading is as necessary to you as the air you breathe.
7. Pay attention to Mass. The Lord is present. It is not just a “family meal” or a pep talk where we decide how we’re going to make the world a better place. It is the threshold of heaven and the one full, final sacrifice brought into the present moment with its benefits applied to our needs. – Renew your faith by attending Holy Mass. Keep your mind focused on the mystery that is unfolding before your eyes. In your mind’s eye transport yourself to Calvary and meditate on the Victim who offers Himself to Divine Justice, paying the price of your redemption…If we only knew how God regards this Sacrifice, we would risk our lives to be present at a single Mass.
8. Your discipline during Lent is a step towards proper detachment from the distorted love of created things so that you can love properly the things that are eternal. Therefore don’t be discouraged. Make little sacrifices, but make them matter. He who attaches himself to the earth remains attached to it. It is by violence that we must leave it. It is better to detach oneself a little at a time, rather than all at once. Let us always think of Heaven.
9. Don’t be discouraged. You think you are doing a good work, but God is doing it within you. When you realize this you will strive even harder to co operate with God’s will and this will take you further on the path with speed. – Let us humble ourselves and confess that if God were not our armor and shield, we would be pierced by all kinds of sins. That is why we must live in God by persevering in our practices, and learn to serve Him at our own expense.
10. Be totally committed to the Lord and he will not fail you. Remember the Bible verse: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your path.” Let us try to serve the Lord with all our heart and will. He will always give us more than we deserve.
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