Fourth Week of Lent (18 March to 24 March 2007)

Lent can be seen as a forty-day retreat. A retreat is a time to stand back to ask: "What have I been doing with my life? What has God been teaching me? Where have I succeeded in living life God's way? Where have I failed? What do I need to confess and ask God's help to change? A Lenten retreat is a time to recognize our wanderings and to determine to heed God's call to come back.

Lent is can also be seen as a time to examine our discipleship to the Lord. We are called to examine in particular the three areas of prayer, fasting and works of mercy, which are important pillars for true discipleship with the Lord. Like a relationship with someone we deeply love, unless there is constant communication (prayer), self-sacrifice (fasting) and sharing of our gifts/talents and time (works of mercy) to the person we love, there can be no authentic relationship.

These are qualities necessary for any healthy, loving and committed relationship. They are therefore important in our relationship with the Lord. We know it can be demanding and sometimes a real struggle because of our human weaknesses, yet we strive to live this because we love our Lord dearly and truly.

Prayer

We are called to examine the quality of our prayer life as a community, a family or an individual. Our prayer life should lead us to the will of God and help us tune into God's way and direction for ourselves, our families and our communities. The prayers that give life are not just external expressions which have no effect on our lives. As we pray, we do so in a spirit of humility, knowing full well that God is the source and goal of our lives.

Fasting

Love without sacrifice is not truly love because true love is sacrificial in nature. For example, parents willingly make sacrifices for their children because they love them. Lent challenges us to examine the Christian sacrifices we make because we love the Lord dearly and deeply. Fasting from food helps us to experience pangs of hunger and identify with the millions who go hungry every day. We can fast and give the money for our food to the hungry. We can fast from other things as well - things that hold us "captive" and give us a false sense of security. This sense of security often blunts our desire to seek God and his guidance, for we feel self-sufficient. Fasting, going without one of these leaves us with a sense of vulnerability and a true sense of our dependence upon God for everything. It fosters a humble spirit.

Works of mercy

We share our talents, possessions and time which we have received through the generosity of God as a means of practicing good stewardship. During Lent (and beyond) we can ask ourselves what we can give for the good of others. It could be our time, our talents or material resources. This develops in us a sense of detachment from what we think belongs to us. We do so in a spirit of love for God and his people. We recognize that we are humble instruments of God, called to love and serve.