Black Catholic Spirituality Article ~ { Print Version }
The National Black Catholic Congress
www.nbccongress.org

Youth Commitment to Lent, preparation for Easter
By Marissa Auguster

Spirituality Article Index

Mary visits Elizabeth Five Hard Truths That Will Set You Free Declaration on Masonic Associations (Quaesitum est) Interior Stillness/Silence Fasting and Doing Penance: Why and How "Are you open to invitation"? Prayer for Priests There Must Be a God Somewhere Spiritual Food for Thought "Life", by Mother Teresa Purgatory What is an annulment? In my Father's house there are many rooms...John 14:2 Forgiveness: A Gift for the Good of Mankind Christian, Remember Your Dignity Prayer Maturity How to Intensify Your Prayer Skills/Attitudes If It Be Your Will Midwest Capuchins Promote Black Catholic Vocations From a homily by Saint John Chrysostom, Bishop Stirred Into A New Flame Reflections on the NBCC Vocation Symposium Stirring Vocations One Body, One Spirit

Spirituality Article Index

Lent is described as the forty day liturgical season of fasting and praying that prepares Christians for Easter. It represents the time that Jesus spent alone in the desert; where he endured temptation but rejected it. As we enter the Lenten season, we are called to sacrifice and fast just as Christ did for forty days in order to bring us salvation. We are also expected to reject all of Satan's temptations just as Christ did. Prayer, fasting and self sacrifice are the pivotal points of the Lenten season. Without a commitment to these central themes of Lent, we cannot grow as Catholics, and we completely miss the true significance of Easter.

When many of us were smaller children, we associated Lent with the giving up of our favorite toys or candy, if we even committed to Lent at all. To us it meant no meat on Fridays, so instead we ate fish. But as mature youth, we are called to go beyond the mere surrendering of our childish indulgences, and take a step forward so that we may transition into young adulthood. But it is more than forty days of mandatory forfeit. We must prepare ourselves for Easter, for Christ's Resurrection. But by ignoring true self- giving sacrifice, we become selfish and unworthy in the eyes of God. We also forfeit a golden opportunity to grow closer to God. During the Lenten season, we are called to become more reflective of our lifestyles, and confess our sins committed before the Resurrection, so that we may redeem our souls.

So what can we do to prepare ourselves for Easter? What are we supposed to sacrifice during Lent? To prepare ourselves for Easter during Lent, we must first and foremost pray. Prayer: all good things come of prayer. When we communicate with God, we grow closer. Secondly, we should attend church, remembering to keep Holy the Sabbath Day. When we go to church, we are able to consume the Body and the Blood of Christ, so that we may have everlasting life. Third- fasting. Fasting cleanses our bodies and our souls. If we are clean mind, body and spirit we will be prepared to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Lastly we must confess. Confession is necessary for spiritual growth. It is an opportunity to fix our relationship with God through repentance. When we repent, we acknowledge our shortcomings, and vow to keep from straying in the future. This is how we prepare during the Lenten season for Easter. Preparation is essentially what the Lenten season is about. If we stumble through the Lenten season blindly, we cannot grow and we miss the importance of Easter. But when we pray, fast, attend church and confess our sins we develop a new appreciation for the season, and Easter will have a completely different meaning afterwards.

Marissa currently attends St. Bernard High School in Los Angeles, California, and will be attending Hampton University this fall.