Every day of Lent, Bishop Edward Malesic writes a Scripture reflection for the faithful. Follow the bishop on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Click HERE for the readings.
Some people hire professionals to help them organize and declutter their homes. How about organizing and decluttering our spiritual lives? We can use some assistance to lead simpler, more focused lives.
Lent helps us to determine what is essential and what is not. What do we need to keep and what can (or must) go?
Lent also gives us three traditional “house cleaning” rules.
Give alms. Give something away: money; a few clothes, a helping hand; a personal talent. Share what we have. We will become happier people by sacrificing and giving for someone else.
Pray. This is essential – a relationship with the Lord. In fact, we should organize our day around prayer. I’ve asked people to pray at least 15 minutes a day to strengthen their relationship with God. Pray in the morning. Pray before going to bed at night. Pray before every major daily event, including every meal. An organized day can be as helpful and peace-giving as an organized house. Consider praying along with some of our diocesan clergy in My Daily Prayers (dioceseofcleveland.org/mydailyprayers).
Fast. Not just from food. Take in less of every created thing. Lead a more uncluttered life. Get rid of the “fluff” that pulls us away from God. Trust that God will provide what we really need. And, more specifically, we are called to fast from sin, which is the cause of a tremendous amount of spiritual clutter and personal disorientation.
In the end, Lent is like a good spring cleaning. And by Easter we hope to have enough room in our souls to be filled with the joy of the Risen Lord.