Lenten Suggestions

The following was shared by Jimmy who is a Catholic group with me and used with his permission. Thanks Jimmy!

"I just want to share a couple of things I do during lent.

First is Prayer

Try to dedicate even 15 minutes of prayer, it usually only takes 15 minutes to pray the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy or the Holy Rosary. You can also pray Our Father, Hail Mary, O my Jesus, Glory to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, and Saint Michael prayer. Any prayer will do just dedicate yourself in doing the best you can to put at least 15 minutes of your day or more to prayer. I myself give up
an hour total of prayer. When I am at work I pray for 30 minutes instead of eating lunch, and then takes my two 15 minutes brake later on to pray. I usually pray the Divine Mercy and the Holy Rosary.

Second is Act of Kindness

Try to be a good Samaritan. Give from the heart. If you know someone at work that needs help, go help them without asking anything in return. If you don't like someone or they don't like you, be kind to them, say hello, smile, do something good for them. Be there for a lonely or sad person, tend to the sick and the poor. We must all look at everyone and see Jesus Christ in them. For what we do unto others we do unto Him.

Third give up Rushing

We live in a world of rush, no time, running late, always in a hurry. Try to relax, wake up earlier, start your day earlier, give yourself some time. We need to slow down and take notice of all the good things in life. Wake up, say a little prayer or even just say good morning Jesus and blessed Mother. Take a little time to look
at family pictures, and thank God for all of them. Take time to look out the
window, watch the trees, the grass or the snow, or the dew or rain, take a deep breath, look at the sky, smell a rose and thank God for all of them. Lent can be a time to give thanks for all the little miracles that we take advantage of and not even notice everyday of our lives. Be still, and know that I am with you always, says Jesus.

Fourth give up Cell Phones

Now a days we live in a world that depends on many technologies, especially cell phones. We should give up using cell phones or limits its use, maybe put a schedule on what time it will shot off and goes on. We must not depend on it for there is only one that we can really depend on is Jesus Christ.

Fifth give up your Parking Spot

We can at least give up our parking spots at work or the mall for someone who really needs to park closer due to health or just to be nice. We all want to be closer, we don't like to walk to far to get to where we need to be, but how can we be closer to Jesus Christ if we are so self absorbed, it is always me,me,me,me. Besides walking is a good exercise and penance.

Sixth share your Faith

Talk to someone about Jesus Christ, and about the Catholic Church He founded. Explain to them our beliefs, say the Creed to them, share the love and salvation.
Besides it is all our christian obligation to tell the world about Jesus Christ. Hand out prayer cards, religious pictures, booklets, tapes, Cd's or videos about the Catholic Church. Worry not about converting them, just give a good christian example,
we are looking to give conversion of the heart and the rest follows. If you tell someone about Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church, it is up to them to accept it and believe it. It is their obligation either they follow Jesus Christ and His Catholic Church or deny Christ.

Seventh go visit Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament

Do Holy hour at least once a week. We all take advantage of the True Presence of Our Lord Jesus Christ. If we really truly believe that the Holy Eucharist is the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ, then we should bow down to Him, worship Him, Adore Him, give Praises to Him and spend time with Him. The Catholic Church should be full all the time, crowd should overflow and never ceasing for Jesus Christ the King, Lord, Saviour, Prince of Peace and Son of God is waiting for us in the Most Holy Tabernacle. We should fill the pews, the floors in adoration, bowing down before Him. We should live our life for Him, for he who lives in Him and for Him shall inherit eternal life. He is the Great I AM. "I AM the living bread". We should seek
the bread of Life so we may live.