Lent - A Different Kind of Penance

Lent is a time for spiritual growth.  In a previous article, I spoke about some time-honored practices for the Lenten season that are meant to help us grow spiritually.
     Here's another slant to those sacrifices.  As I mentioned in the homily this weekend (Feb 14-15), Jesus speaks about the "lost" in the gospel of Luke: the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son.  In our communities, families, and parishes there are the "lost," those who no longer practice the faith, those who occasionally come to church, those who never come, those who may say that they are Catholic but who would have a hard time reciting the ten commandments or the act of contrition.
    All of us need to reach out to them in order to help them recognize and see the beauty of belief.  They will not find reasons to believe in newspapers, television, movies or sports, but they will find reasons to believe by hearing from believers the beauty of belief, the reasons to believe and practice.
     I am fully aware that sometimes articulating our faith to others may be difficult.  Finding the right words in the right situation may pose problems.
     So, here's my suggestion.  Many of you use contemporary media: Facebook, Twitter, LinkdIn.  Consider using these media to make some simple statements about being Catholic.  Here are some examples:

• I am Catholic because ....
• Because of my faith, I have found strength to ...
• Because of my faith, I have found the answer to ...
• My Catholic faith teaches me how to accept the hardships of life.  
• The sacraments, especially the Eucharist, give me the strength to ...
• I hope that some people will come back to our church because ....

     Here's my suggestion for a Lenten practice.  Each Wednesday of Lent post a similar message on your Facebook page or make an entry in your Tweeter account