How can we make this Lenten journey more spiritually fulfilling?
The following are 33 suggestions that you can use, one for each year that our dear suffering Lord was alive.
These are taken from my spiritual journal.
The purpose or goal is to grow more in selfless love and less in self-love.
THIS LENT I WILL...
1. Consult God in everything with the simplicity of a child like St. Augustine did.
2. Listen daily and at every moment to God's small voice and do not let noise keep me from hearing Him speak to me.
3. Keep a holy and interior silence by keeping my thoughts, opinions, juicy news, gossipy stories to myself. I will especially try to keep this silence during times of adversity.
4. Perform acts of mercy and charity when the situation presents itself and not going out of my way to look for opportunities in order to know I am doing God's will.
5. Avoid those things that keep me from hearing the Holy Spirit's guidance such as: talking, TV, computer, iPad, worrying, thinking about things that do not concern me.
6. Give my full attention to the moment at hand, be it a duty, activity or someone talking to me. I will pray close attention to the present moment.
7. Leave all in God's capable hands.
8. Never talk bad about another person.
9. Fast at least once a week, not only from food, but drinks (other than water) and frivolous entertainment.
10. Let others speak. I will give them my undivided attention without interrupting them with my own thoughts and opinions.
11. Be kind and merciful.
12. Not be curious. I will not ask unnecessary questions.
13. Conquer my desire to say no when asked to do something for someone.
14. Stop giving advice especially when someone hasn't even asked me for my advice, and especially not if I haven't prayed about it first.
15. Say at least 40 aspirations daily, especially to our suffering Lord and his sorrowful mother.
16. Do what I don't want to do, joyfully.
17. Make sacrifices and mortifications for those who are suffering persecution.
18. Imitate our lady's virtues: meekness, silence, humility, gentleness, acceptance, calmness
19. Stop being so hard on myself when I commit the same sins. I will trust in God's mercy and love.
20. Refrain from asking anyone for favors.
21. Accept what comes my way, be it good or bad and I will trust that God knows what is best for me.
22. Conquer my knee-jerk reaction to respond defensively when I am criticized or corrected and will remain silent.
23. Respect my family more and criticize their faults less.
24. Imitate St. Benedict Menni's virtues of: Praying, working, suffering, forbearing, loving and keeping silence.
25. Remember that it is humility and obedience that make us saints.
26. Not using humor as an excuse to belittle someone, especially family and friends.
27. Not be distracted when praying.
28. Spend at least 15 minutes of quality time really reading the Gospels and the writings of St. Paul.
29. Use the social networks to share the Good News and to give God praise.
30. Not spend money unless it is necessary. Instead, I will donate the alms to those who are in need, especially the persecuted Christians.
31. Try very hard to conquer my pride.
32. Be patient especially with those who seem to vex me.
33. Be kind, gentle and patient with my family.
