Perhaps we’re not ready. Perhaps we feel unprepared. Perhaps our hearts are still restless. Perhaps we are still in a post-holiday slump. But ready or not, here we are, and we can take it in or we can shut it out.
Lent. Many of us consider this a time for self examination, the purging of our sins, the perfecting of our imperfections and the turning away from our vices. But what does the Church ask of us during this time? Prayer, fasting and almsgiving.
Prayer is the lifting of our minds and hearts to God. Fasting is denying ourselves so as to focus on how much we rely on God and in the meantime perhaps reflect on so many who suffer hunger daily. Almsgiving is giving to those in need. Which one of these practices has an inward focus? None of them!
Perhaps we can take a different approach this Lent. Perhaps we have been missing the mark. Not that self-reflection is bad, but perhaps looking outside ourselves to focus on the realities of who God is and what others need will come back full circle and help us grow in holiness as well.
In today’s Gospel Jesus teaches us exactly how to pray. He gifts us with the “Our Father”. Then he takes it one step further and states “If you forgive men their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you.” Notice the outward focus. He does not speak of inward reflection, but rather of forgiving others. If we forgive them, he will forgive us.
Lord, may your name be honored as holy. May your Kingdom come on this earth. May your will be done by all people. May all corporal and spiritual hunger be satisfied. May forgiveness be freely given. May virtue replace all temptation and may goodness replace all evil. You have taught us to pray for these things and you are the giver of all good gifts. Grant us what we need and make us holy, so that we may bask in your presence forever in heaven. Amen.
Tal vez no estemos listos. Quizás no nos sentimos preparados. Tal vez nuestros corazones aún estén inquietos. Tal vez todavía nos sentimos un poco deprimidos después de las fiestas Navideñas. Pero listos o no, aquí estamos, y podemos aceptarlo o podemos ignorarlo.
La Cuaresma. Muchos de nosotros la consideramos una temporada para el autoexamen, la purga de nuestros pecados, el perfeccionamiento de nuestras imperfecciones y el alejamiento de nuestros vicios. Pero, ¿qué nos pide la Iglesia en este tiempo? Oración, ayuno y limosna.
La oración es elevar nuestra mente y nuestro corazón a Dios. Ayunar es negarnos a nosotros mismos para centrarnos en cuánto confiamos en Dios y, mientras tanto, quizás reflexionar sobre tantos que sufren hambre a diario. Dar limosna es dar a los necesitados. ¿Cuál de estas prácticas tiene un enfoque en nosotros mismos? ¡Ninguno!
Quizás podamos adoptar un enfoque diferente esta Cuaresma. Tal vez hemos estado perdiendo la marca. No es que la autorreflexión sea mala, pero tal vez mirar fuera de nosotros mismos para enfocarnos en las realidades de quién es Dios y lo que otros necesitan volverá al punto de partida y nos ayudará a crecer en santidad también.
En el Evangelio de hoy, Jesús nos enseña exactamente cómo orar. Él nos regala el “Padre Nuestro”. Luego va un paso más allá y declara: “Si ustedes perdonan las faltas a los hombres, también a ustedes los perdonará el Padre celestial.” Observe el enfoque hacia el exterior. No habla de reflexión interior, sino de perdonar a los demás. Si los perdonamos, él nos perdonará.
Señor, que tu nombre sea santificado. Venga tu Reino a esta tierra. Que se haga tu voluntad por todas las personas. Que toda hambre corporal y espiritual sea satisfecha. Que el perdón sea dado gratuitamente. Que la virtud reemplace toda tentación y que la bondad reemplace todo mal. Nos has enseñado a orar por estas cosas y eres el dador de todos los buenos dones. Concédenos lo que necesitamos y haznos santos, para que podamos disfrutar de tu presencia para siempre en el cielo. Amén.
Tami Urcia grew up in Western Michigan, a middle child in a large Catholic family. She spent early young adulthood as a missionary in Mexico, studying theology and philosophy, then worked and traveled extensively before finishing her Bachelor’s Degree in Western Kentucky. She loves tackling projects, finding fun ways to keep her little ones occupied, quiet conversation with the hubby and finding unique ways to love. She works at for Christian Healthcare Centers, is a guest blogger on CatholicMom.com and BlessedIsShe.net, runs her own blog at https://togetherandalways.wordpress.com and has been doing Spanish translations on the side for over 20 years.
Feature Image Credit: Jon Tyson, unsplash.com/photos/rbz1hVh7_LM
Deacon Dan Schneider is a retired general manager of industrial distributors. He and his wife Vicki have been married for over 50 years. They are the parents of eight children and thirty grandchildren. He has a degree in Family Life Education from Spring Arbor University. He was ordained a Permanent Deacon in 2002. He has a passion for working with engaged and married couples and his main ministry has been preparing couples for marriage.
Dr. Alexis Dallara-Marsh is a board-certified neurologist who practices in Bergen County, NJ. She is a wife to her best friend, Akeem, and a mother of two little ones on Earth and two others in heaven above.
Emily Jaminet is a Catholic author, speaker, radio personality, wife, and mother of seven children. She earned a bachelor’s degree in mental health and human services from the Franciscan University of Steubenville. She is the co-founder of 
Merridith Frediani loves words and is delighted by good sentences. She also loves Lake Michigan, dahlias, the first sip of hot coffee in the morning, millennials, and playing Sheepshead with her husband and three kids. She writes for Catholic Mom, Diocesan.com, and her local Catholic Herald. Her first book Draw Close to Jesus: A Woman’s Guide to Adoration is available at Our Sunday Visitor and Amazon. You can learn more at 
Christine Hanus is a thwarted idealist who, nevertheless, lives quite happily in Upstate NY. She is a wife and mother of five grown children.
Susan Ciancio has a BA in psychology and a BA in sociology from the University of Notre Dame, with an MA in liberal studies from Indiana University. For the past 17 years, she has worked as a professional editor and writer, editing both fiction and nonfiction books, magazine articles, blogs, educational lessons, professional materials and website content. Eleven of those years have been in the pro-life sector. Currently Susan freelances and writes weekly for HLI, edits for American Life League, and is the editor of Celebrate Life Magazine. She also serves as executive editor for the Culture of Life Studies Program-an educational nonprofit program for K-12 students.
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