Lent brings challenges but also opportunities, said Archbishop Bernard Hebda of St. Paul and Minneapolis. “There can be the rigors of Lent,” he said, “but ultimately, I would see it more in terms of an opportunity of growing closer to Christ, develop some of those practices that will keep us closer to Christ” and help the faithful celebrate Easter and the paschal triduum leading up to Easter more fruitfully, he said.
The archbishop said his friend Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York uses the analogy of Lent being like baseball’s spring training, with players realizing that, while “great in so many areas,” this intense preparatory period of spring training can help them as they go forward,” developing skills needed for the upcoming season.
“And in many ways, Lent is like that, too,” Archbishop Hebda said. Everyone can benefit “from this period of preparation, that really is an opportunity for grace as well,” he said.
Archbishop Hebda recently joined “Practicing Catholic” radio show host Patrick Conley to provide guidance on Lenten disciplines. The traditional pillars of prayer, fasting and almsgiving in Lent provide a framework “for looking at what we might be able to do,” he said.
The archbishop said he finds it helpful to not simply think about “what we’re going to give up or how much more we’re going to be praying, or how we’re going to be supportive of those in need,” but also to consider “what is it that we’re hoping to get out of Lent?” Keep an end in mind, he said.
For example, someone may want to be closer to Christ, he said, or more charitable to others, “and in that way, be closer to Christ,” the archbishop said. Having that end in mind helps determine “what it is we want to do in terms of prayer, fasting and almsgiving,” he said.
Each year, the archbishop said he looks for things that will be a little difficult to give up during Lent, giving examples of not watching television except for the news or not browsing the Internet except for work-related information. But then “how do I use that time … in a better way?” he asked.
Instead of watching favorite television programs, he could write notes of gratitude or affirmation “to people that I know would appreciate that or deserve that,” he said. With almsgiving, figure how to set aside some cash “but also think about how to get positively engaged in supporting the poor,” he said. “Where do I find time to be present? In a soup kitchen or in the serving of a meal?”
In giving up a favorite food, consider how to use the money saved, such as buying rice bowls for Catholic Relief Services, Archbishop Hebda said.
“Or how does that then have some greater impact that’s going to help me to meet the goal that I’ve set for myself in Lent? Not in terms of just being able to persevere but desiring to be closer to Christ or to be more charitable in my relationships with others, or more attentive to the need for gratitude in my life, those kinds of things,” he said.
To hear more ideas for Lent from Archbishop Hebda, listen to this episode of “Practicing Catholic,” which debuts at 9 p.m. Feb. 24 on Relevant Radio 1330 AM and repeats at 1 p.m. Feb. 25 and 2 p.m. Feb. 26.
Produced by Relevant Radio and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, the latest show also includes an interview with Deacon Gordon Bird and Devin Schadt, Catholic author, leader and executive director of the Fathers of St. Joseph, who discuss the return of the archdiocesan men’s conference March 18; and Father Joseph Taphorn, rector and vice president of the St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity, joined by the new president of the University of St. Thomas, Rob Vischer, who discuss the intersection of faith and leadership.
Listen to interviews after they have aired at PracticingCatholicShow.com or choose a streaming platform at anchor.fm/practicing-catholic-show.
