As odd as it may sound, I love Lent. Particularly as the years I have been in ministry lengthen, it continues to grow as my favorite time in the Church calendar.
The reason is simple, it drives me to spend more time focusing on where my relationship with God is. Through the focus on the prayer, fasting, and almsgiving I come to more closely examine my faith and spirituality and to spend more time with God.
There is also the added benefit that many of the programs in all the ministries I oversee have a more reflective tone to them. The youth group focuses on reviewing the pillars of Lent, temptation, God's love, and the Triduum. The young adult group spends time focusing on new ways to live Lent, usually by utilizing a text (this year it is Bridges to Contemplative Living with Thomas Merton: Lent and Holy Week). Add to those experiences Taize prayer, the Living Way of the Cross (writing it and directing it), the communal penance service, the youth retreat, etc. and this time of year becomes a time of spiritual renewal for me and the ministris.
Without much fear, I can hazard the assumption that this time of year is busy for all in parish ministry. Despite that, I challenge you to ensure this is also a time for you to enter into Lent and find the renewed right relationship with God that can sometimes be pushed aside in the chaos of day to day ministry.
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