Lent: A time to listen to God speak to you

Everyone has a favorite saint. While Thomas Merton is officially not declared a saint, in Loretto’s mind he is pretty close! In the Loretto Novitiate in Kentucky he would come over and on occasion give us a spiritual talk. One day a novice asked him, “Father, can you tell me how to pray?” Father Merton answered, “No, I can’t.” We were shocked at his answer. He said, “Listen, be quiet and listen to God speak to you.” That was it. Listen.

This Lent we are listening to Pope Francis as he calls us to listen and honor a Jubilee Year as Pilgrims of Hope. Pope Francis tells us that Lent has meaning only in relationship to Easter. The season we enter is but a preparation for celebrating Jesus’ resurrection, and with God’s grace, ours, too. We read the news and see evening TV. The stories of so many people look like they have lived Lent all their lives. Day after day of suffering in poverty. They need our message of hope.

What does God call us to this Lent? Remember the three? Fasting, prayer and almsgiving. Fasting could mean an inside change – perhaps a change of heart in loving when we would rather not. Prayer calls us to read and listen to Scripture. Prayer is about doing God’s will – listening and saying the words of the “Our Father” … slowly. The third practice is almsgiving. Donating a bit more to your parish, a donation to Loretto, a gift to our missions. Being more like Christ is helping those in need. God knows your heart.