Lent is a time of conversion and penance that the Catholic Church offers believers to prepare and properly live the Easter Triduum: the mystery of the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus.
During these 40 days, Catholics can set goals to grow in holiness and help others grow closer to God. That is why here we present 10 purposes that you can have to evangelize and renew your life in Christ during this Lent:
1. Receive Communion frequently
Throughout Lent, attending Mass and receiving Communion is the most effective missionary and evangelizing act in which the faithful can participate.
Saint John Paul II noted that the Eucharist contains within itself the “beginning of the world and eternal source of salvation.” Therefore, Catholics should take advantage of its benefits as often as possible.
2. Pray more intensely
Many Catholics ignore the importance of prayer in their lives. This season of Lent can be an excellent occasion to deepen our relationship with God through prayer. Saint John of the Cross wrote: “Whoever flees from prayer, flees from everything good.”
Saint Ephrem, for its part, offers a more practical perspective. For him, prayer forms virtues in our hearts: it protects us from anger, pride and envy. Praying helps us die to ourselves to configure ourselves to Jesus, something especially necessary during Lent.
3. Commit to reading the Bible
Pope Benedict XVI always asked Christians to commit to becoming familiar with the Holy Scripture. Incorporate the Bible into your daily prayer. It is, as the Catechism says, the primary source of our knowledge of God.
4. Confess!
Do not be afraid. Just go.
5. Help those in need
The season of Lent invites the faithful to donate their lives for others, especially for those most in need. Just like Christ, “who became poor and enriched us through his poverty.” Thousands of Catholic charities around the world need our help.
Jesus told us: “You will always have the poor with you” (Mt 26:11). This was a warning to always take care of those less fortunate than ourselves. The poor are the treasure of the Church.
6. Cultivate your devotion to the Virgin
Mary serves as a perfect model for all Catholics: men, women, children, teenagers, mothers, and anyone seeking to develop a more Christ-centered life during Lent.
7. Be a Peacemaker
Make peace with someone you believe doesn’t deserve any respect, forgiveness, or a moment of consideration. If not, what exactly did Christ mean when he said we should forgive our enemies?
8. Meditate on the Via Crucis
Most parishes offer the opportunity to pray the Way of the Cross on Fridays during Lent. Accept this opportunity that God offers you to learn more about faith and about your own spiritual gaps.
9. Defend Jesus Christ
During Lent you could commit to defending Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church. When we are faced with intolerant, closed-minded and anti-Christian opinions, it is up to us to teach and inform with love, in any space of our daily lives.
The love of Christ is the answer to ignorance, hatred and intolerance. If not, what exactly do we believe as a community of faith? The world is becoming increasingly hostile towards Christians.
10. Evangelize the people you meet on your way
The advantages of evangelizing far outweigh the emotional burdens and possible confusion one may feel. First, we have the opportunity to explain our beliefs to others who may not understand them.
Secondly, with the help of the Holy Spirit we could even convince others of the wisdom and reality of our beliefs. This Lent trust Christ and allow Him to speak through you.