Suggested Spiritual Menu For Lent

The use of the term “menu” is deliberate given that during Lent what often comes to mind is giving up of some sensual pleasures and food. During this holy season in the jubilee year, let us not waste the opportunity. It is three months already since the New Year. Do you remember those New Year Resolutions? Lent provides an incredible opportunity which could be “wasted” as fast as New Year's Resolutions. Remember Lent is a journey; it is a journey of faith in other words - a pilgrimage. It is like the Exodus. The Gospel of Ash Wednesday prescribes three things we should do during Lent namely: Pray, Fast, Almsgiving. Let us take a deep dive into these. 

Prayer: While the Gospel does not make any specific prescription, there are many prayers we should engage in during Lent. We must not forget that prayer is about relating and communicating with God. It is about deepening our relationship with God. We know the indispensable role of communication plays in fostering relationships. This Lent, let us deepen our relationship with God in and through prayer. It is only with God that we can journey meaningfully this Lent. Every time you pray the ‘Our Father,” we must remember that it came at the request of the Apostles: Lord, teach us how to pray. (Lk. 11:1). Or as  St Paul stated: In the same way, the Spirit too comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit itself intercedes with inexpressible groanings. (Rms. 8:26). During this season then let us remain in touch with the Holy Spirit to lead us through the desert and teach us how to pray. Herewith a suggested prayer menu:

1. Novenas: 

The Church offers us two solemnities in March namely Solemnity of St Joseph, the husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary, (March 19) and Solemnity of the Annunciation. (March 25). These are the only two celebrations during Lent for which the Church makes exemptions for the Gloria to be sung during Holy Mass. This Lent we could journey with St Joseph for nine days (March 10 through March 19) and Journey with Mary for nine days (March 17th through March 25th).

2. Stations of the Cross

This is a devotion that follows the path of Jesus Christ from his trial through his crucifixion to his burial. It is a meditation on 14 moments on the journey Christ endured to his crucifixion. Christ proclaimed that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life and no one can come to the Father except through him.  He shows us this way as being the way of the cross - via crucis. It is a beautiful meditation to walk with Jesus carrying our cross daily and following him. This is a very popular Lenten devotion. In many Churches in Africa, this devotion is done daily throughout Lent while in the West, it is once a week every Friday. You can pray this on your own every day and join the community on days planned by the parish. This Lent, insert your life story into the story of Christ's passion and death. At what station is your life? 

If you need a guide, one book you can check out is Rev Fr Herbert Niba's meditations in which he guides pilgrims on the Way of the Cross using St Pope John Paul II. Order a copy here:

https://www.osvcatholicbookstore.com/the-way-of-the-cross-with-st-john-paul-ii.html

3. Eucharistic Adoration: Couldn't you watch with me for one hour? (Matt. 26:40).

This is yet another very rich tradition of our faith where one sits prayerfully before the Blessed Sacrament and gaze upon the face of the Lord. The rhetorical question posed to Peter is an invitation for us to create time to be with the Lord. It is a moment of intimacy. There are lots of opportunities for Eucharistic adoration and this Lent we could get into the habit of spending time in adoration. There are many opportunities to learn how to do this. Here is one from the National Eucharistic Revival blog: 

https://www.eucharisticrevival.org/post/come-to-me-how-to-make-an-hour-of-adoration

4. Lectio Divina - If today you listen to His voice, harden not your hearts. (Psalm 95:7)

We must ask ourselves what is our relationship with the Word of God? How often do we meditate on God's word? During this Lenten season, there is an opportunity to grow in silent meditation on the Word of God. There are opportunities to guide us. And as Elizabeth Manneh describes it: It’s a way of developing a closer relationship with God by reflecting prayerfully on His words. In Lectio Divina, the chosen spiritual text is read four times in total, giving an opportunity to think deeply about it and respond thoughtfully. When we practice Lectio Divina, we can imagine we’re actually involved in the events of Scripture — for example, hearing God’s words to the Israelites in the desert. It’s an intensely personal experience. 

Spend time daily listening to God's voice. This is a worthwhile practice to learn during this season. 

5. The Seven Last Words of Jesus by Dr Scott Hahn

Quite relevant for this season are the Seven Last Words of Jesus. The biblical scholar, Dr Hahn is providing meditations on each of these during Lent. Every Wednesday, Hahn shall take up one of these and guide people through. If you know anything about Scott Hahn, you don't want to miss this. Breathtaking and illuminating nuggets that will enrich your Lenten experience. It is hosted by St Paul's Biblical Center and you can follow every Wednesday via this link: https://my.stpaulcenter.com/play/the-seven-last-words

6. Mercy is at the heart of this season.

And so the Divine Mercy Chaplet would be a great spiritual exercise during Lent. Generally recommended to be prayed at 3 pm everyday, the moment our Lord expired on the Cross, this is another of the great treasures to avail of during Lent. The Divine Mercy Novena comes up on Good Friday which is in April. 

7. How about the Seven Sorrows of Mary?

Have you heard about this? Do you know what these are? May be this season, you could learn about these and how to pray the chaplet of the seven sorrows of Mary. 

8. The Sacrament of Confession, Penance and Reconciliation is the quintessential Sacrament for Lent. As Pope Francis notes Christ gives us the living water of his spirit, and it is up to us to draw from his font and drink, in the sacraments, in prayer and in adoration. When is the last time you received the sacrament of confession? Why are you not going for confession? Presumably then you are not receiving Holy Communion. Why are you committing suicide, spiritual starvation. 

9. The mass is the greatest of all Catholic prayers. This Lent make an extra effort not only to attend Sunday mass. Discover the beauty of the Catholic mass and seek to create more time to attend mass regularly. 

This is not a checklist. It is a suggested guide from which you can select. If you can do any of these then keep at it. You can as well do all nine. Return to the Lord with your whole heart.