Lent is upon us. I’m wondering if you have asked yourself how you will make your Lenten preparation for Easter? It’s a good question to ask.

Life being what it is, I have often found it beneficial to come up with a plan and a strategy to help me enter more deeply into the Lenten season.

In years past, I have planned and strategized how to “give up” —

Certain foods or treats  — don’t buy them;

Activities and recreations — don’t go to them;

Habits and behaviors — don’t do them.

One year I even gave up going to the mall — don’t drive by it.

That was my longest Lent ever!

Along with the exclusions, I have often added a few inclusions: more time in prayer, study, and adoration; additional acts of charity; exchanging a bad habit with a good one.

This year, I am considering a whole new plan with a whole new set of strategies. I am thinking of developing my Lenten preparation according to the Spiritual Works of Mercy. These seven practices of Catholic charity are directed toward the spiritual benefit of our neighbor.

They are:                                           

» Admonish sinners

» Instruct the ignorant

» Counsel the doubtful

» Comfort the sorrowful

» Bear wrongs patiently

                              » Forgive injuries

                              » Pray for the living and the dead

St. Paul’s instruction to the Colossians seems to sum up all seven well:  

“Put on then … compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, and patience, forbearing one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other … And above all these put on love, which binds everything together… And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts… Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as you teach and admonish one another in all wisdom” (Col. 3: 12-16).

The Greek translation for “put on” is enduo which means to “sink into a garment.”

In a sense, then, St. Paul exhorts that we become immersed in the spiritual works, so immersed that we become hidden in them, indistinguishable from them, one with them.

Therefore, we are not simply called to do the spiritual works of mercy.

We are called to become a spiritual work of mercy who brings the very life of Christ to the world.

What do you think of my Lenten plan? Wondering how I’ll do it? I wondered that, too.

Here’s what I’ve come up with –

The word CROSS will be an acronym for my strategies:

C – Constancy.  Every journey begins with the first step. But if we only take that first step we don’t get very far. Therefore, I am praying for constancy, a fruit of the moral virtue of fortitude. Constancy “consists in struggling and suffering to the end, without yielding to weariness, discouragement, or indolence” (The Spiritual Life, Adolphe Tanquerey, #1093).

R – Review. Using an examination of conscience I will ask the Holy Spirit to help me evaluate my day in light of the Spiritual Works of Mercy and to adjust where need be.

O – Opportunity. I will ask Our Blessed Lady to give me her maternal vision to help me see the opportunities for good that God entrusts to me every day and to cooperate with grace to fulfill them.

S – Sincerity. Jesus described Nathaniel as one “in whom there is no guile.” Guile, which means deceit or cunning, is the opposite of sincerity – honesty and truthfulness in word, deed, and demeanor. A prerequisite to an act of charity. Queen of All Hearts, pray for me.

S – Sacrifice. An all-encompassing attitude of heart that will help me stay rooted in my quest. It calls for mortification, renunciation, and steadfastness of heart. United to the passion of Christ, our daily sacrifices yield much for ourselves and for others. I pray for the gift of sacrifice and all that it entails.

And that’s it. My plan and my strategy. Now I suppose the best thing to do is pin this article to my make-up mirror. That way I won’t forget. And – it will be the first step for the “C,” and I’ll be on my way.

Lent is 40 days long. Hope I make it.

Hey, here’s an idea.

Why don’t you do it with me? That way we can support each other in prayer.

Will you join me?

Shoot me an email or comment on this blog and let me know.

Let’s sojourn together. And make this the best Lent ever!