Pausing from Penance

Lent, a period lasting 40 days in the Christian calendar, serves as a time of preparation and spiritual renewal. It mirrors Jesus’ own period of fasting in the wilderness before commencing his ministry, emphasizing the importance of sacrifice and reflection. Traditionally, Lent involves practices such as fasting, prayer, almsgiving, and penance, symbolizing a Christian’s dedication to avoid their personal desires in favor of spiritual growth.

During Lent, Christians often engage in various practices such as prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. These are meant to help believers grow closer to God, deepen their faith, and prepare spiritually for the celebration of Easter, which commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

In these years, however, there’s been a noticeable shift in how young people approach Lent. The challenge of giving up particular activities which are something significant for their daily lives is palpable. Despite these difficulties, the dedication of today’s youth about their commitment to cultivate their sincere self-discipline as an offering to God can still be seen.

Commonly, youths observe fasting during Lent by eating one full meal and two smaller ones, ensuring that their total intake is less than what they would consume in a regular meal. As part of Lenten practices, youths also abstain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays of Lent, symbolizing the sacrifice of Jesus Christ as he suffered on the cross and serving as a reminder that ” you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

They also devote time to prayer and introspection while generously giving help to those in need. Youths show their dedication by reducing their consumption of social media, television, and other luxuries as a form of penance. This act of self-restraint allows them to redirect their attention toward spiritual development and nurturing deeper relationships with God and those around them.

The three things that we must observe as a young people during Lent season are first is prayer because through prayer we can communicate to our Almighty God; through prayer we can ask Him to help and guide us in our daily lives, dwell in His presence and get closer to Him spiritually. Every day we should set aside some time for peaceful prayer, either alone or during group worship. Try praying in a way you don’t ordinarily do, like the Stations of the Cross. In addition to seeing images of the stations from different churches in other dioceses, you can participate in the prayers by listening to an audio recording.

Second is fasting. Fasting during Lent can take many forms. Some people give up certain types of food or drink, while others may fast from a particular habit or activity. The motive is to deny oneself in some way, often as a reminder of Jesus’ sacrifice and to focus more on spiritual matters.

The last one is almsgiving; this is the practice of giving to those in need. It could involve donating money to charity, volunteering time to help others, or making a conscious effort to be more generous and charitable during Lent and beyond. Lent is a time for believers to reflect on their lives, repent of sins, and renew their commitment to following Christ. It is a solemn yet hopeful season that leads to the joyous celebration of Easter. We should also read the word of God to know more about his great sacrifice for us, to know more how Great His love is and how His grace justified and cleansed our sins. Let us not forget what He did on the cross because of His unfailing love we’re saved.

While these practices may differ from traditional ones, they reflect the youth’s commitment to fasting, prayer, almsgiving, and penance, showing their dedication to their faith and desire to grow closer to God. In a world that is constantly changing, the traditions of Lent continue to provide a meaningful opportunity for spiritual reflection and renewal. (Jhasmin Gierran and John Bernard Masmayor – ACD Immersionists)