Fr Antonio Pineda
nd so Lent begins. It’s incredible because it feels that Christmas has only just finished and here we are having entered another important season in the liturgical calendar. Lent is a time of profound preparation, of reflection and meditation. It is a time when God wants us to think deeply about some important truths. He wants us to remember what life is really about. He wants to remind us of our origin and our ultimate goal. God created us for so much more than what this world has to offer. And this Lenten season, he wants us to renew our commitment to live in accordance with that origin and goal.
We all know how hard it can be to keep the more important things in mind. We are surrounded by so much noise. So many other messages are grasping for our attention every waking moment. Social media keeps us glued to our screens, not to mention the countless streaming services that cry out to us to binge shows and consume media like never before. And yet, it is equally true that in our day and age, it is easier than ever to make time for the truly important things. The other side of the equation is that it is easier than ever to turn off the noise.
- With catch-up services, we don’t have to miss any of our favourite television shows. We also have the technology to record them and watch at our convenience.
- With podcasts and audiobooks so widely available, radio broadcasts and entire novels can be downloaded and listened to whenever it fits best into our schedule.
- With email, mobile phones, tablets and laptops, we aren’t chained to the office — we can get our important work done whenever and wherever we choose.
In other words, now more than ever we have the capacity to organise our own time in perfect harmony with our true priorities — if we really want to. This Lent, let’s make sure that our main priority is to spend time with our Saviour. To read about him, visit him in the Eucharist, pour our hearts out to him in prayer, and reflect on his Word in the Scriptures.
Read the Bible instead of scrolling down your friends’ statuses on Facebook. Pray the Rosary instead of bingeing on the newest trending show on Netflix. Listen to your favourite hymns instead of watching those time-wasting videos on YouTube or TikTok. Go out for a walk and wonder at the beauty of creation. Read up on the lives of the saints and be truly inspired. These are just some of the things that you can do this Lent to spend time with the Lord.
Nothing will please Christ more than our spending time with him, and nothing will do more for the health of our souls, and for the happiness of those around us.