My sisters and brothers, grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ! Like many of you, I visit my doctor for my annual check-up. Not only do I discover what is working better since the last time, but some new areas emerge: things I should be aware of for health of my body – this great gift that the Lord has bestowed upon me and, in a real sense, entrusted to me to take care of and nurture. Throughout my conversation with my doctor, I am also mindful that he is also looking at my mental capacity. Can I provide reasonable and rational responses to his questions? But the one area he doesn’t ask about is my spiritual health. That is not included in his medical competence, and I wouldn’t expect him to provide an insight here. Nevertheless, if there is a Catholic or Christian doctor, we may discuss some aspect of our faith together.

How would I go about taking a deeper look at my spiritual life? Well, Holy Mother Church wisely provides for that every year with our Lenten journey. It is a simple straight-forward program: look at your prayer, fasting, works of charity. Let’s take a quick look at this three-fold foundation for the health of our spiritual life. 

PRAYER

Is our prayer life what it should be? Prayer is about having a conversation with God. It is both speaking and listening. In a sense, listening should be more as I place myself in His presence. To that end, am I going to Mass on Sundays and holydays and during the week or on other occasions? Am I participating in the event of salvation that brings us to share in the Eucharist -the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Himself truly present right before our eyes in the Mass? How about our common prayers - the Rosary, the Stations of the Cross, various devotional prayers? Is adoration a part of your prayer life? Visiting the churches, chapels, and shrines designated for the Jubilee Year can be part of it.

FASTING

How about fasting? This is a broad area and can include giving up something that you relish and enjoy. Is it some food? How about cutting back on TV or internet consumption? How about cutting back on criticizing someone and offering a blessing instead? Fasting, should aid us in modifying our behaviors to something more healthy and holy.

CHARITY

What about my works of charity? Am I sharing adequately my time, talent, and treasure in my parish, in the school, or for those in need? Am I contributing to help with efforts to alleviate poverty and make a true difference in our local community?

So, that’s a brief check-up on the spiritual life. Above all, it is a fitting time to make a good confession before the celebration of Easter. How can we become just a little more ready to be aware of God’s presence all around us? When we do, we become a people of hope and joy, aware that the hope Christ offers us “does not disappoint.” During this Jubilee Year of hope, I would make it my aim to be a bit more aware, to pay attention to what is happening around me. The Lord is at work, and we will discover increased blessings, a greater peace of heart, and a deeper understanding of ourselves. This Lent, may we grow in our relationship with Christ precisely because we are aware that He is with us always, reaching out to us to follow Him. May God bless you all!