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Okay so these are not my words, but those of a Priest I know and I thought it appropriate to put them up for you to have a read and think about

A Short Reflection from Fr Joe

We could say so much about Lent, but above all it's atime of conversion, a time to come back to God. Conversion takes many forms butabove all it is trying to come closer to God and trying to overcome whateverimpedes this. For many of us, it is taking the next step in our relationshipwith God.

So, Lent could - and probably should - involve givingsomething up. It is a practical way of saying "I will put God first, Iprefer God". Giving up chocolate, or alcohol, or television, or certainunnecessary websites, is a way of saying "I prefer God to all thesethings". Indeed, those very words "I prefer God" could be a goodmotto for this Lent.

But Lent is above all a time of grace, when God isespecially willing to show us His love and mercy. We are now entering a periodof the year when rain is more abundant, but this can remind us that God's gracewill be raining down on us especially too. It is very good to "dothings" for Lent, but remember that Lent is more WHAT GOD DOES FOR YOUthan what you do for God.

Lent should certainly involve more prayer: listening toGod, letting Him talk to you. Prayer could be going more often to Mass, prayingthe Rosary, or just sitting before the Blessed Sacrament in a Catholic Churchfor 5-10 minutes each day, "getting to know" Jesus, discovering howmuch He loves you and opening your heart to Him. Committing yourself to someform of DAILY prayer in Lent would be a wonderful way to live this season andcome closer to God.

Lent will certainly involve the Sacrament of Confession:it is the most beautiful and most profound way to convert, to come back to OurLord. No matter what you have done, no matter how much a failure you feel, howmuch you have stained yourself, Christ awaits you in the Sacrament ofConfession to wash you clean. As Isaiah says, "though your sins be asscarlet, they shall be as white as snow".

Lent is not just "giving up" something, it canalso be "giving way", "giving in", "giving back","giving out", "giving time" ... just plain giving. Is theresome way this season you need to give in/give way? i.e.

backing down, being less stubborn. Could you be moregenerous to others?

For example, to your parents, or house or flatmates? Forstudents, the best Lenten conversion might be a renewed commitment to study,making some practical resolution to get down to work and sticking to it. What'sthe point of giving up chocolate if we spend Lent wasting time on computergames?

May God bless you all! I wish you a very holy and happyseason of Lent. Don't try to do too much: one, two, maximum three resolutionswould be enough: Our Lord knows how little we are and that we can only takelittle steps. Take those steps and Christ will be very pleased.

Fr Joe Evan (taken from Thomas Moore Young Adults newsletter 2010)