5th Sunday of Lent – Year C (2022)

The readings for the Fifth Sunday of Lent for Year C remind us God sees us in our weakness and suffering and saves us. The first reading (Isaiah 43:16-21) tells us to look at the past and see that a new way is possible. The psalm (Psalm 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6) tells of sorrow turning to joy. In the second reading (Philippians 3:8-14) Paul explains that we must let go of what we valued to pursue life in Christ. And in the gospel (John 8:1-11) Jesus confronts the crowd who are about to stone the woman caught in adultery.

Consider how God can take what seems not good in our lives and transform it. Here are some ideas:

Lenten Activities: Attend Stations of the Cross

Stations of the Cross are a lovely Lenten tradition. It the devotion, we make the journey to Calvary with our Lord Jesus Christ, focusing on how he suffered for us and his interactions with those he met on the way.  #Lent #prayer #StationsOfTheCross

Listen to Praise and Worship Music While Doing Chores

I am a homemaker, and I'll admit that cleaning the house is not my favorite thing to do. But it is an act of love for my family. And listing to praise and worship music while doing chores reminds me of that. 

Lenten Activities: Have a Poor Man’s Meal for Dinner

Fasting is one of the traditional Lenten practices for Catholics. One way to fast is to have a poor man's meal. Instead of a full dinner, have a simple bowl of soup and a few crackers. This method of fasting is a way to express solidarity with the hungry and homeless in our community.

Visit a Cemetery With Your Family

Lent is a time to think about our own mortality and how Jesus brings us from death into life through His sacrifice on the cross. With children, especially young children, it is best not to be to heavy handed about this though. We don't want to scare them. But taking them to a cemetery to visit the graves of loved ones can be a positive experience for them.  #BuryTheDead #WorksOfMercy #prayer #lent

Lenten Activities: Make Hot Cross Buns

Hot cross buns are traditionally served during Lent, particularly on Good Friday in some parts of the world.  The cross on them reminds us of the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ. The spices used in them are reminders of the fragrant spices used during burial at the time.  #Lent #HotCrossBuns

Lenten Activities: Read a Story from the Gospels

Get together with your family to read a gospel story this Lent. This is also a great activity for Sunday school or youth ministry. You can select one from the daily mass readings. But sometimes the daily gospel can be difficult to understand, especially for younger children. Here are some other suggestions.

Lenten Activities: Give Up Video Games for a Weekend

For many of us, video games have become a way to escape reality and blow off some steam. While this is not necessarily a bad thing, there is a tendency in our culture to spend a lot of time gaming.

Lenten Activities: Visit a Garden and Pray

Christ went to pray at the Garden of Gethsemane. It is a prayer of total surrender to the Father's will.  So as a Lenten activity, go to a garden and think about the Garden of Gethsemane. Take your children and teenagers and teach them how to pray as Jesus did.

Prayer for Our Holy Father

Lent is a time of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. One person who often requests our prayers is our Holy Father, Pope Francis.  In fact, his very first Instagram post was simply captioned "Pray for me". 

Lenten Activities: Go for a Quiet Walk

Consider going on a 30 minute walk as a Lenten activity. Turn off the music and walk in silence.  This is an especially powerful experience for teenagers, who have a lot of noise and distraction in their lives.  #Lent #GoForAWalk, #Silence

Lenten Activities: Give Up Complaining for a Day

It is so easy to fall into the habit of complaining. To really not complain at all for one day is more difficult than it sounds. So don't complain about anything. At all. Really. Fast from complaining. #Lent #fasting #NoComplaints

Lenten Activities: Visit an Elderly Relative or a Nursing Home

Visiting an elderly relative or friend can be a meaningful activity for children and teens during Lent. Or visit a nursing home.  But it can also be uncomfortable for children, young and old, who are not used to visiting with senior citizens. They seem to have so little in common. But in fact, there are some easy ways to break the ice.

Don’t Remember the Past

Remember not the events of the past, the things of long ago consider not; see, I am doing something new! Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? - Isaiah 43