Sunday, April 3, 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:
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.
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".
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.
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
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.
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
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
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.
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
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 songs while doing chores reminds me of that.
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
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 as a Lenten activity. 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
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