“But when you pray, go to your private room, shut yourself in, and so pray to your Father who is in that secret place, and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you. ” – Matthew 6:6

Throughout the season of Lent, we are called to deepen our prayer life.

For some of us, this means beginning a habit of daily prayer, setting aside time each day to share our hopes, joys, fears, and frustrations with God.

Praying first thing in the morning, while the house is still quiet, or talking to God while on your commute to work are simple ways to integrate prayer into everyday life.

Praying the Rosary, visiting the Blessed Sacrament, or attending a daylong silent retreat may bring you to new places in your relationship with God.

“But when you fast, put scent on your head and wash your face, so that no one will know you are fasting except your Father who sees all that is done in secret; and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you.” –Matthew 6:17-18

Lent has traditionally been the season where we give something up, often sweets, or favorite food, in order to focus on the sacrifice Christ made on the cross. But fasting is much more than a means of developing self-control. Fasting is spiritual and physical purification; the pangs of hunger remind us of our hunger for God. Fasting and abstinence help us to participate more fully in the cross of Christ.

“So when you give alms, do not have it trumpeted before you; this is what the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win human admiration. In truth I tell you, they have had their reward.” –Matthew 6:2

Charitable giving is a very ancient practice; almsgiving was normative long before the time of Jesus.

The Lenten call to almsgiving means making the needs of other people our own. One of the central lessons of the cross is compassion; the heavy burdens we carry help us to appreciate the suffering of others.

Sharing our material goods is often just the beginning of real Christian giving. We are also called to share our time tending to people in need.

1. SEE: Watch the video (Observe the facts, know the reality.)

Beginning on 1st Sunday of Lent, gather together in your ministry before or after mass. Pray and watch the videos together.

2. JUDGE: Read the Gospel (Use social analysis and moral values to make judgement about the facts.)

• Find the Sunday’s Gospel, take turns to read the words of Gospel (2-3 times). While one is reading, the rest listen to the words carefully, let God speak to you.
• Sit in silence for few minutes so that what God is telling us can be heard.

• Reflect:

  • What has drawn my attention or struck me in some way?
  • Why? Was it a person? A word? A situation? A gesture?
  • What therefore, is God saying to me through these words here and now today?

3. ACT: Call to Action (Plan a realistic and effective strategy to action.)

• Share in a group the words that have had the most impact in today’s passage, or the message it has conveyed.
• Listen to one another with open hearts. Let the Holy Spirit lead the discussion.
• Make a plan to change. Say a prayer to give thanks and to ask God’s strength to execute the plan. Consider to sit in a quiet and attentive resting in the presence of God before ending.