By Allison Gingras

“And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” ~ Matthew 6:4b

Lent is the perfect time to grasp the grace of the season and strengthen our resolve to become saints. A season of penance as well as a season of hope and, yes, even joy! In God’s infinite wisdom, we are given this incredible gift every year for spiritual growth and to renew ourselves through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.

Everyone is Called to Sainthood

God has made us all for holiness and to be with Him in heaven forever. This call for eternal bliss isn’t reserved for the pious, professed religious, or the hermit holed up in a cave. Every baptized Christian is equipped for this hope!

Erase all thoughts that you can’t live up to this mighty task. It is accomplished through grace—the freely given, perfect gift from God—who never asks the impossible nor sets us up to fail. In fact, He gives us the very blueprint to reach this lofty goal. 

We can reach sainthood by practicing acts of charity and sacrifice, and by tuning into the whispers of God through prayer. Although we are called to these virtuous practices every day, Lent provides us with an opportunity to remember these saint-making practices and refocus our energies to participate in them regularly. Charity softens our hearts to love and be loved. Fasting prepares us to receive God’s sustaining care and strength. Prayer opens our hearts to heaven, inviting the guidance and grace needed to fulfill God’s will for us.

Abounding, Amazing Grace

During these 40 days, open the eyes of your heart to receive the outpouring of graces available for your spiritual journey. Would you ask your child to vacuum but not provide the necessary tool to complete the task? If we, well-meaning but flawed parents, know how to give good gifts and the proper tools to our children, then how much more can we count on God to provide everything we need to accomplish sainthood?

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I believe every good and perfect gift comes from You. Remove all obstacles that keep me from recognizing Your many gifts in my life. I desire to use this grace-filled season of Lent to embrace all the tools offered through a life of faith to grow towards sainthood.

Call to Action:

This Lent, make a purposeful plan for holiness by discerning specific ways you can grow through prayer, participation in the sacraments, and time with Scripture.

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