How many busy parents approach Lent thinking — how could I possibly do any more than I’m doing? Been there. Done that. Sometimes there just isn’t any more time, right? So here are some suggestions that are friendly to the busy parents' schedules. Friendly to the busy schedule, but not all are easy. Let’s not forget that Lent is for offering ourselves, along with some of our time and attention, to draw closer to God.
Read on for tips on how to incorporate the pillars of Lent into your life this year.
First, Prayer
Try adding some aspirations into your day.
As you’re talking to a child say:
Saint____, please pray for this child. Or:
Mary, Queen of Peace, pray for us.
Saint Michael, please defend us.
If you hear someone swearing, instead of interiorly shaking your head, try Blessed be God. Blessed be His Holy Name and thus do your part to make amends for the offense.
Want to keep it simple? Lord, have mercy is a perfect aspiration for almost any time or situation.
Seven Sorrows of Mary
Praying while driving is a great way to squeeze in some prayer. Try praying the Seven Sorrows of Mary. Say a Hail Mary for each sorrow while meditating on it.
Mary’s seven sorrows are:
- Simeon’s prophecy that a sword will pierce Mary’s soul.
- The flight into Egypt
- The loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple of Jerusalem
- The meeting of Jesus and Mary on the Way of the Cross
- Mary witnesses the Crucifixion and death of Jesus on the Cross
- The dead Body of Jesus is taken down and laid in the arms of His Holy Mother
- The burial of Jesus, with Mary’s tears and loneliness
If you’re driving for a while, try praying the Rosary, especially with your family. The Rosary is an extremely powerful prayer. Those who pray it can attest to that fact. Miracles have happened from the recitation of the Rosary.
It is a weapon unlike any other. It has the power to slay dragons (demons), convert sinners, and conquer hearts. (Father Donald Calloway, MIC, Catholic Exchange)
Fasting
You could give up the last bite of food on your dish. I have found this to be much harder than I originally thought. Or try a 5-minute fast. If I really want to eat something and don’t think I can give it up completely, sometimes I offer the desire to the Lord for just five minutes. Or ten minutes. After the time is up, sometimes I can give it up completely. But my only goal is the five or ten minutes.
Fasting from social media is an option. Sometimes I simply limit my social media time by resolving to not get on it at all until my prayers are finished. This year I am adding that I will not read anything on my phone that I see from scrolling. This helps to make sure the prayers get said and is also a kind of fasting. If social media doesn’t tempt you perhaps choose some other unnecessary activity that eats up some time that could be better used.
And then there’s Almsgiving
Of course, giving to charity or to ministries that serve the poor are great options. What about cleaning a closet and giving away clothes or other items that someone else could use? Is that too much? Try a drawer.
We can also give of our time. Maybe call a friend or someone you know who is hurting. Or merely smile more; giving away a smile can change a person’s day. You might ask how their day is going.
I once asked the person taking my ticket at a movie theatre how his day was going. His answer? “It’s going better now,” as he smiled back at me.
Let’s be creative this Lent. Pray as we can, fast from food or other things, and give of ourselves—either of our possessions, our money, our time, or our smile. God loves a cheerful giver.
What are your plans for observing this Lent?
Oh, Jesus, help us to observe this Lent as best we are able, remembering to offer what we can to you. Please help us to grow closer to you and to please you in all our choices this Lent and always.