Lent begins this Wednesday which is Ash Wednesday. Keep Lent simple.
Our approach to Lent can reflect two extremes. One extreme is to do nothing different during Lent. We make no effort to embrace a season in which we are invited to look honestly at our lives to see what needs to change in order for us to grow in our confidence of the salvation that is the will of God for us. The other extreme is to want to do many things in order to change our style of life and to grow in our faithfulness to what we know God expects of us. Neither extreme is helpful. It is better to keep it simple so that real change can happen in your life.
Focus on two things that you will do this Lent. One of these should emphasize personal, interior change. The other should emphasize change in how you relate to the world around you. Personal change. What is one personal change that you could make in your life that would reflect a genuine desire to live in faithfulness to what God expects of you? Should you diminish the frequency of gossip in your life? Should you diminish your use of foul language? Should you diminish the frequency with which you judge others? Should you diminish the level of prejudice in your heart? Should you be more patient with yourself and with others? What is one thing that can be a point of focus for you during Lent that will make a real change in your personal life?
The world. St. John Paul II told us that “we are all really responsible for all.” How do you manifest in your life your responsibility for the well-being of other persons? Can you volunteer once a week at a soup kitchen or food pantry? Can you save money each week that you will send to Catholic Relief Services at the end of Lent? Can you regularly call a person living alone? Can you prepare a meal each week for a neighbor who is alone? Can you tutor a young person? Can you help a homeless person that you encounter daily on your way to work? What is one thing that you can do this Lent to show that you want to manifest a genuine concern for others?
Keep Lent simple. If you do, it will yield greater and better rewards for you!

Fr. Mark Hallinan, S.J.