Today marks the beginning of Lent 2021 and there is a lot of digest in this season of fasting, reflection, and faith.
Like many other Catholics around the world, I will be committing to no meat Fridays; but, I feel like that is not enough in 2021. I would be remiss this Lenten season if I neglected to acknowledge all that has happened this year.
For the next forty days, I will be asking myself challenging questions aimed at reflection and closeness to Christ. Maybe, you can join me...or come up with questions that have been plaguing your mind for the past year.
First, what have I truly learned during this pandemic? Not the "don't take life for granted" response or the many "appreciate the moments" that we hear. Instead, in what areas have I grown or worsened as an individual? How has that impacted my life, relationships, faith? What can I do to continue this growth or counteract the bad today, tomorrow, and in the future?
Secondly, what would God critique most fervently in my life today? I'd like to say it's pride or envy, but the fact that I know these sins of myself means that I've already taken the first step in conquering them. What in my life is a distraction, a temptation, a sin that I participate in regularly without qualm? What things do I do without hesitation that goes against His plan for me?
The third major question builds off of the second one, what would God critique most fervently in my community, my society, my country and His creation? Where are the Ten Commandments, the seven deadly sins, and the Word broken or treated as double standards?
Finally, how can I further the direct callings from the Word, for whom we are participating in this fasting season?
"For you … have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faith. It is these you ought to have practices without neglecting others." - Matthew 23:23
"And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love." - 1 Corinthians 13:13