Give time!

Ash Wednesday

Matthew 6:1-6,16-18

Lent, as it means "length", is preparation for encountering the Lord in his passion, death, and resurrection.

We need ample time to develop our relationship with the Lord.  Love needs time to blossom.

We also need time to know and be committed to our neighbor.  We need enough time to get to know the Church. 

Finally, we need time to understand who we are.  And who are we?  Disciples.  We are not small gods.  We are molded to be followers of Jesus.  We need ample time for that.

We need to engage in prayer, fasting, and alms giving to prepare ourselves for this divine encounter.

Prayer opens our world to the Lord.  We also need time to engage in prayer with our neighbors and families.

Fasting is not just abstaining from meals and food.  We deprive ourselves of the things we love so we can open our hearts to what we can't see; but eventually, we can feel deeply that he's with us.

We engage in alms giving so we might realize that it is only through the sharing of self that others live.

All these lead to Christ, to the Church, and to our inmost being.  Maximize the time of Lent.