“This will be my first Lent as a full Catholic,” I proudly declared.
“Oh word,” he replied. “What are you giving up?”
Despite last year’s “God schedule“, I nearly forgot to plan anything for this coming season. There are a lot of things I’ve been meaning to do (not necessarily “putting off”…), so it was easy to determine what to sacrifice to God. This year, I’m “giving up” my slothful tendencies, spending that time in study and prayer.
To meditate on what we read helps us to make it our own by confronting it with ourselves. Here, another book is opened: the book of life. We pass from thoughts to reality. To the extent that we are humble and faithful, we discover in meditation the movements that stir the heart and we are able to discern them. It is a question of acting truthfully in order to come into the light: “Lord, what do you want me to do?”
—Catechism of the Catholic Church, #2706
Prayer Study
* Behold, visio divina. Their new book is on the Sorrowful Mysteries. (Perfect for Lent, right?)
* Complete the USCCB‘s weekly lectio divina.
Books to Read
* Interior Castle, by St. Teresa of Avila
* The Rational Bible: Exodus, by Dennis Prager (this one may take longer than 40 days!)
Mass Schedule
Attend, once per week:
* Sunday Mass (a given)
* Stations of the Cross (Friday nights)
* Adoration (in the evening)
* Silent prayer (during the day)
Physical Health
Exercise five times a week, with at least two being strength training (a.k.a. get back to my old workout schedule). Physical health is also important for anti-laziness and focus!
I’ve been so focused on what I should be doing that I haven’t spent enough time shutting up and letting Him speak. I’m “giving up” the stress of figuring things out on my own. This year’s schedule is less rigid, allowing God to instruct me rather than the other way around.
