March is here and so is the start of the Lent season.
Saint Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church Father Gervan Menezes said Lent is a 40-day period of almsgiving, fasting, and prayer. Menezes said many people participate in Lent to help prepare themselves for Easter. Menezes said most people know Lent as a time that people give up something.
“A lot of times you know people give up sweets or people you know don’t watch TV or whatever it is,” Menezes said. “And I think that well you really have to ask yourself what are those things that you have to ask yourself what are those things that are preventing me from getting close to Christ. What are those things that you know don’t allow me to get close to Christ and maybe those things are the things that you can give up.”
Menezes said Lent begins on Ash Wednesday which is when Christians traditionally receive ashes on their forehead because the ashes are a reference to the biblical phrase “Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return”. Menezes said he has seen Lent be the start of long-term journeys to quitting serious addictions like alcohol or cigarettes.
“People say ‘hey I don’t really need this you know God gave me the opportunity to be free from that so why do I need to go back to that,’” Menezes said. “Yep, that’s a great opportunity.”
Menezes said on Ash Wednesday he actually preaches about some things people can add to their life and not just what they can take away.
“Sometimes we all think about things that we are going to give up but what can I add,” Menezes said. “Can I add more prayer time, can I be more charitable with people. So not only give up stuff but what can you add up. What are those things that you can add to that so you can get ready for Easter.”
Menezes said that 40-days is a long time, it is very rewarding for people to participate and be successful in completing Lent. Menezes said some people become a whole new person after Lent is over.
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