The Positive and the Negative 

   “This is what love is: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his son as expiation for our sins.” (1 John 4: 10) 

   I think people get too hung up on the negative during Lent.  They look at what they will give up or take away rather than what they can add.  By focusing on taking away we sometimes fail to give the Lord the praise and glory we should.

   What does it matter if we give up coffee if we never pray?  How does fasting from meat on Friday serve any purpose if it’s just a habit?  There must have some suffering, some higher purpose if it is to be a sacrifice.

   Sacrifice some time to go to adoration or to daily Mass, or at least to add some prayer time to  your daily schedule.  We waste so much time on useless activities that are of no value and then complain that we don’t have time to try to come nearer to God.

   Lent is also about love, not just sacrifice.  Lent is a time to turn to God and give thanks for the love He gives us each and every day.  It is a time to look upon Christ on the cross and thank Him for the greatest act of love every given.  Lent without love is of little value regardless of the petty sacrifices we so often undertake.

   This Lent don’t just sacrifice something of minor inconvenience.  Instead spend these days praying for a closer relationship with God, a greater love and thanksgiving of Christ.  Rather than allowing lent to become a perfunctory time of giving up some little something, let it be a path to giving all to Christ in preparation for the gifts of His suffering, death, and resurrection.