Dr. Scott Hahn: Getting the most out of Lent

Lent is arguably one of the most recognizable seasons for Catholics, outside Advent, of the year. However, it can easily become a season of “habit” or “obligation” as opposed to truly seeking Christ. Lent is meant to be a time for Christians to set aside to remember the love of Jesus Christ that was poured out and displayed on the cross of Calvary, meditating on His sacrifice and sufferings endured for our sins, and the glories of the Resurrection.

It is Easter that truly sets Christianity apart for other religions. Mohammad has a birthday. Krishna has a birthday. Buddha has a birthday. It is Christ alone who has a Resurrection Day.

Lent is the season we prepare ourselves for such a holy event. We should carefully consider how we can spend Lent doing more than enjoying fish at the Knights of Columbus’ Fish Fry, giving up snack food for 40 days, and making plans for Easter egg hunts with our children. There is certainly nothing wrong with any of those things, but they easily become the focus of Lent instead of what the season brings to Christians. In my recent interview with Dr. Scott Hahn of the St. Paul Center, we discuss Lent and how Catholics can make the most of the season.

“Lent affords us a unique opportunity, not just through fasting and giving things up, but by giving ourselves up,” Hahn said. “In addition to not going without salt on my eggs or without dessert or without whatever other little mortifications we might do, fasting and prayer are necessary. Reading scripture every day, not necessarily an hour or two, but five or 10 minutes and likewise praying the rosary” are ways we can get more out of Lent.

Hahn suggests spending the time during Lent to increase the frequency of things that may already be part of your faith life. If you go to Confession every few months, perhaps make it a monthly or weekly event. We should take advantage of Adoration times at our parish or a nearby parish. It is through an increased focus on our faith, strengthening our relationship with Christ, channeling our efforts and attention into drawing near to the Suffering Servant, that we obtain the rewards and graces freely available during this time.

As we draw near to the holy season, Hahn encourages a careful consideration of the entirety of the Lent season when deciding on what to give up for Lent.

“When we decide what to give up for Lent, it’s probably a good idea to fast forward and ask ourselves what is it we get at the end of Lent? What is it we get as a result of Good Friday? What is it that we get as a result of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday? What is it we get? We get divine life. We get life giving love. We get the body, blood, soul and divinity of Christ’s body so that when we receive it he sets in motion that transformation not only bread and wine into himself, but as sinners into saints,” said Hahn.

Hahn explains the sacrifices we give during Lent are nothing compared to what we receive, as St. Paul writes in the letter to the Romans. (Romans 8) “The sufferings that we undergo are not even worth comparing to the gift of glory that we get in Christ the God man and that strikes me as being supernatural common sense and not something that is for super saints. This is for sinners who just simply want to be reasonable about how to prepare and respond to what we’re going to end up celebrating.”

By focusing on the end result of Lent, Christians can enter into the liturgical season with a heart and mind ready and open to receiving all that Christ has for them. Fasting, abstinence, acts of charity, adoration, confession, Bible reading, and Mass attendance are all ways Hahn encourages us to utilize in order to draw nearer to the Christ who gave Himself for us.

“We recognize this is really the only way to respond logically to what we profess to be true and real,” said Hahn.