What is the meaning of Lent? What are we suppose to give up for Lent? During this time as we reflect on our relationship with Christ, is it growing or waning? How well do we live the values of Christ?

Lent is a time of renewal. It is a time for tuning our ears, for listening carefully, for discerning the quality of our own habits, for attending to God's call amidst the noise of cultural pressures, the burdens of life, and our own self-limiting actions. We may need to look deeper into our uncontrolled vices. We may need to mend the pieces of a broken relationship or we may need to reroute some of the time we reserve so diligently for our work and spend it instead on our families, friends and relatives.

We may need to set aside more time for prayers to bring the Words of God alive into our daily life. With renewed reliance and trust in our God, we can easily respond to the cry of the poor, to feed the hungry, to shelter the homeless, or to visit the prisoner. All these can rightly be discerned as God's prompting to a fuller life.

Lent is a time for true spiritual preparation. By making our own sacrifices during this season, we become mindful of the suffering Christ endured for our sake. Let us be ready again to embrace that redeeming cross with Jesus, beginning on Ash Wednesday, to Good Friday. So we may rejoice with Him at EASTER!

When we understand why observe Lent, why the need to change our ways, why we have to transform, then our hearts and minds open up and we become so inspired to choose the path of holiness and peace which leads us to everlasting life.

"Even now, says the Lord, return to me with your whole heart." (Joel 2:12)