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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.
Amelia Monroe Carlson graduated from the University of North Alabama with a Bachelor’s Degree in journalism. Being raised as a Methodist during her early years, it was not until she entered college where she began to take her faith seriously. She was baptized as a Southern Baptist in Muscle Shoals, AL and began immediately serving in international missions and in the church.
During college, she became the Co-founder of an International Ministry, where she spent time traveling and speaking to church groups and in large conferences. She authored a Bible study and traveled abroad on mission work. She sat on the Mid-South Interfaith Conferences in Mississippi, where she defended the faith and discussed beliefs with leaders of various religions.
After a business trip to Washington D.C., where she was introduced to a former Baptist who converted to the Catholic Church, she was placed on a journey to enter into the Catholic Church.
Amelia is a military wife and currently residents with her husband and daughter in Tennessee. She is a nine time award winning journalist, receiving press awards for various categories including investigative journalism, best news coverage, and best single feature. It is her desire to help Catholics, particularly Cradle Catholics, see the beauty in their faith which converts see and appreciate the fullness of truth which the Church has held and guarded throughout history. It is her desire all Catholics fall as much in love with Jesus as she is, and love the Church to a greater capacity than they could imagine.
Amelia taught PRE for 4-6 grade at St. Mary Catholic Church in Bolivar, Tennessee from 2014-2016. She served as Youth Director at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church in Somerville, Tennessee in 2017-2018. She now teaches 7th grade (1st year Confirmation) PRE class at St. Philip. She's also a writer and frequent podcast guest on Our Warpath.
She has a strong devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Francis de Sales, St. Padre Pio and St. Maximilian Kolbe.
To contact Amelia for speaking inquiries at conferences, retreats, or parishes contact her via social media on Facebook (Amelia Monroe Carlson), Twitter (@2_catholic ) or send a text to: (731)518-6923.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ameliamcarlson
Twitter: @2_catholic (Catholic ministry account)
Twitter personal account: @ameliamcarlson
