
Lent with St. Francis: True Fasting
Religious practices can never become more important than the end to which they lead: love of God and love of neighbor.
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Religious practices can never become more important than the end to which they lead: love of God and love of neighbor.

From what have you chosen to abstain during this Lent? Create a practical plan for how to uphold your commitment so that you may gain greater spiritual freedom.

If our own goals, possessions, and even families and friends distract us from the Lord’s call, then we are not truly choosing life.

Lent is a time to reconsider the path one is taking in life and to finally answer God’s invitation to return to him with one’s whole heart, Pope Francis said.

“Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel.” These are the words most often used as we are signed with ashes. It is a call to conversion, a call to follow Christ, a call to change our lives.

This week’s Gospel recounts Jesus’ 40 days in the desert, where he is tempted by the devil.

This year, World Marriage Day, observed annually on the second Sunday of February, will be celebrated Feb. 14, which also is the feast of St. Valentine and which since the eighth century has been a celebration of love and affection.

When we go to confession, we feel a bit ashamed.

I often find myself rolling my eyes a bit whenever I hear the Christmas song “Silent Night” during this time of year. You see, silent nights have been very few and far between in our house for the past 21 years—ever since we brought our oldest daughter, Maddie, home from the hospital.

This week’s Gospel reading is about the parable of the talents, in which the servant who buried his talent is admonished, while the one who shared his is praised.