A poster distributed by the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development Feb. 17, 2023, depicts a community of faithful ready to climb a mountain. In his message for Lent 2023, Pope Francis chose the account of Christ’s transfiguration as a guide for experiencing Lent as a journey up a mountain in the company of others and with Jesus. (CNS photo/Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development)
CHURCH SOCIAL TIPS
Lent has become a time to give up social media. I get that! However, I’d like to suggest that giving up on digital tools that could help you pray more, fast, or give to those in need isn’t the best idea.
Our phones are a part of our daily walk through life. Many Catholic organizations have designed a full 40-day plan of activities to help you pray, fast and give alms. In my parish, we shifted our focus from “Give Up” to “Step Up” for Lent. So, I am stepping up by embracing technology, and hopefully these ideas will help you step it up too!
Pray
“Pray without ceasing.” (Thessalonians 5:17)
Discover an app that helps you pray every day or when you find it convenient. One of my favorites is Hallow. While you may be reading this after Lent has started, there are so many prayer resources you can still draw from. Options include Father Mike Schmitz, the “Bible in a Year,” “Minute Messages” from Bishop Barron, and novenas for relationships and life challenges that even include one I wrote and recorded for widows and widowers.
Another great online resource is the TV series “Chosen,” which is a beautiful dramatization of the life of Jesus and his disciples. There are 24 episodes that you may watch over the weeks of Lent or binge watch in a couple of weekends as a powerful way to grow closer to Christ by exploring his journey.
And don’t forget that the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) app allows you to listen to the daily readings.
Fast
“So we fasted, seeking this from our God, and it was granted.” (Ezra 8:2)
The church requires us to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, and abstain from meat on the Fridays of Lent. Fasting is a spiritual practice that draws us closer to Christ as it imitates his time in the desert. There are numerous articles about how abstaining from meat even one day a week helps our planet. This can help us better follow Pope Francis’ call to care for the environment in his encyclical “Laudato Si’.”
The CRS Rice Bowl website, crsricebowl.org, has great meatless recipes and stories about families around the world who suffer food insecurity. (See page 4.) Sharing these stories with your children can help them appreciate more of the food they have.
There is also a cool app called ZeroLongevity that helps you to practice an intermittent fasting lifestyle during Lent and beyond.
Give alms
“But as to what is within, give alms, and behold, everything will be clean for you.” (Luke 11:41)
There are many ways to give alms through the Lenten season. The aforementioned CRS Rice Bowl campaign is a simple and familiar way. You can also donate food or cash to your closest parish food pantry or the Hawaii Foodbank.
Make a special donation to your parish to support a ministry or individual that needs help. Asking for a Mass intention for someone in need of prayer is also a wonderful way to offer up prayer and make a small donation on their behalf to the parish.
Last, don’t forget that sharing your gifts of time in service can also be an act of almsgiving.
May you allow yourself to be drawn into a daily desert to reflect, renew and rejuvenate your relationship with Christ.
Have a blessed Lent!
Hayes-Peirce is a Catholic social media consultant based in California.
