Dear friends in Christ,
We begin the Lenten Season this week with Ash Wednesday. It is the beginning of the Church’s observance of the desert journey towards Easter. It is a time in which we are called to reflect inwardly, to stop whatever we are doing, no matter how important it might be, and enter more intentionally into the disciplines of prayer, self-examination, fasting, and repentance. But we must be careful because these disciplines, though significant and helpful, are not ends in themselves. They are means to an end and the goal is to return to God with all our hearts.
Unfortunately, the common practice of entering the Lenten season has often been reduced to this question: “What are you giving up for Lent?” It is a reasonable and typical question, but it can only take us so far. The real question of Lent should be, “How will I find ways to return to God with all my heart?” This question begs an even deeper question, “Where in my life have I gotten away from God and what are the disciplines or ways that will enable me to find my way back?”
Remember what the Prophet Isaiah has explained on the meaning of fasting, “Is not this the sort of fast that pleases me: to break unjust fetters, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break all yoke? Is it not sharing your food with the hungry and sheltering the homeless poor; if you see someone lacking clothes, to clothe him, and not turn away from your own kin?” (58: 6-8)
That is the fasting that God calls us to practice. It is without a doubt that the disciplines of fasting and other kinds of practices help us face sinful patterns and imperfection. If we want to find our way back to God, we have to either change or improve our way of life. Furthermore, these disciplinary practices invite us to consider how we might be called to give more of ourselves to others.
We all know that Lent requires and encourages something from us. We all are familiar with the fact that there can be no feasting without fasting. Entering the Lenten discipline by giving up something to create more space for prayer is the fast that prepares us to fully enjoy the Feast of the Resurrection.
So let us begin this wonderful Lent together.
In Christ’s Love,
Quang Nguyen, SCJ
Chaplain and Director
Need prayer or someone to talk to/pray?
Our Chaplain, Fr. Quang Nguyen, SCJ, and Campus Minister, Salisha Miller, are here to serve you. You are welcome to contact them by email or GroupMe message in case of any need.
UH Catholic Newman Center
4305 Martin Luther King Blvd. | Houston, TX | 77004 | 713-748-2529
CATHOLIC@UH.EDU
Director: Fr. Quang Nguyen, SCJ
Email: qnguyen@archgh.org
Campus Minister: Salisha Miller
Email: smiller@archgh.org
