Letting Go During Lent
“What are you giving up for Lent?” That was a question asked years ago before we thought about Lent in terms of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Maybe this Lent could be an opportunity for a slightly different approach. How about if we focus on letting go as it relates to prayer, fasting and almsgiving?
Letting go of what we have gathered is not easy and, in fact, can be quite overwhelming. “Where do I start?” “How can I get through everything?” “I might as well give up!” The good news is that we can begin by asking the Lord’s assistance through prayer. We will succeed when we take things step by step, one drawer, one box, one cabinet at a time. We will be bound to discover things that can be given away. That stuff will enable us to engage in almsgiving. Letting go of the extra stuff or streamlining our possessions can be a form of fasting. The result will be a lightness of spirit, a glorious experience of freedom, and a tremendous sense of accomplishment this Lent. What a marvelous Easter we will enjoy! 