Every year during this season of Lent, I am always asked, “What can you do to prepare for Lent?” I was so often asked that to the point that I would need to resort to my checklists. There is nothing wrong with brainstorming for ideas and making a list, but as I went through that, I realised it became a habit. It became something I needed to do, not what I wanted to do.
As I ponder over my thoughts this year, I have realised that it is not about what we can scratch off the list of what we can check before the bullets. Lent is the time where we pray and meditate on Jesus’ sufferings, where we give time to talk and be with him in that desert, a time to help us become stronger spiritually and grow in a solid faith. But due to the pandemic and the increasing number of infected people, attending Masses is not quite possible. Instead, I attend online Masses and join online rosaries every Wednesday, the safest way possible. I also visit our church in the Philippines to reflect, pray and do the Stations of the Cross.
Our physical presence in the church does not measure faith. It is our spiritual connection to him because faith comes from within. I often take a moment to reflect on the actions I made in the past years and discern which part needs growth and changes. I also learned how to give up things, like reducing the use of gadgets and fast over my favourite food.
Instead of feeding my stomach and eyes with material and temporary things, I feed my soul with the Holy Spirit. I lessen my spending and share donations with those who need it more. I think more of others like how Jesus taught and saved us. I will not be selfish to take most when I only need a few because Jesus himself sacrificed himself for the world’s sins. He gave his all for saving us, a sinner.
So during this season of Lent, let us give ourselves time to pray and listen, to reflect on our actions, ponder over our mistakes and ask forgiveness, guidance and enlightenment for ourselves.
Estrilleta Armada-Guiuan
