"Praying Lent"by Bishop William S. Skylstad (From the March 20, 2003 edition of the Inland Register)
Some years ago I made the decision to fast from music during Lent, both at home and while on the road. Initially I had approached this as a matter of doing something for the season, and I found giving this up a bit of a challenge. But as time wore on, especially when I was in the car, this solitude became a wonderful time of prayerful reflection and quiet. Life can be so busy and full of sounds. The peacefulness of the quiet has been and continues to be a gift. In addition, I try to scrutinize how attentively I pray the Liturgy of the Hours each day. Daily exercises of prayer can have the tendency of becoming routine and mechanical. The rush of the moment with many things to accomplish adds to the challenge of staying focused on and attentive to what we are praying, and in whose presence we are. One of the great gifts of our spiritual heritage in the Church is the rich tradition of our many forms of prayer. Certainly the liturgy of the Eucharist is at the head of that list. Lent finds many people deciding to attend Mass daily, instead of just on Sundays. For all of us, the challenge is not only to attend, but also to pray the Eucharist, and pray it well. Ritual has its own positive impact on us, but attentiveness to what we are doing and attentiveness to the Lord, in whose presence we are, also leaves its mark. Listening, being present to, and participation are very important qualities as we pray the Eucharist together. Stations of the Cross, novenas, and the sacrament of reconciliation are good opportunities for us to be more prayerful during Lent. The rosary is a favorite for many. Last October, the Holy Father, with his apostolic letter The Rosary of the Virgin Mary, reflects upon this prayer as a way of enhancing the devotional life of Catholics. In that letter he calls for a year of the rosary, from October 2002 to October 2003. In addition, he shares a series of new mysteries upon which to meditate: the Luminous Mysteries, or the Mysteries of Light. Personally I like them very much: the baptism of Jesus; the wedding feast at Cana; the proclamation of the kingdom of God; the transfiguration of Jesus; and the institution of the Eucharist. All of the mysteries of the rosary highlight for us significant moments in the life of Jesus. In fact, the pope goes on to say that the mysteries of the rosary contain the depth of the Gospel message in its entirety. He goes on to say that this prayer is Marian in character, but Christ-centered. There is something about the rhythmic recitation that touches us as we meditate, even if we are in a difficult moment. For my own spiritual life, I find it helpful to set aside a regular time for prayer each day. For me, that time is early morning, especially when I am exercising on the Nordic Track. Sometimes I am asked if I find it boring to be on the exercise machine. Not when you say the rosary! In fact, I think for some strange reason I meditate better praying the mysteries in that manner than in other circumstances. I am told that sometimes in parenting – perhaps often – time for prayer comes at a premium, and it is difficult to find any quiet time, let alone set a regular schedule. Fleeting moments of prayer and gratitude also have their value as we are mindful of God’s presence and goodness to us. That may be the best we can do at the moment, and we shouldn’t feel guilty if that is our situation. No matter our circumstances, we can live a prayerful attitude in life that does keep us grounded and mindful of God’s presence. Prayer keeps us connected to God. Reflection helps us to appreciate, and meditation opens the heart to the gentle nudging of the Holy Spirit. Most likely, none of us will experience a bolt of lightning and thunderclap in our praying, but consistent perseverance and fidelity to this activity will most assuredly leave its mark. Even more importantly, we will have grown in relationship with the Lord and one another. May all of you have a prayerful and fruitful Lent. Much peace and joy!
Bishop Skylstad’s Schedule
March 21: Tri-Cities Catholic Family Services auction dinner, Pasco 23: Mass, Catholic Youth Celebration 24: Dedication of Emergency Room at Holy Family Hospital, Spokane 26: Mass, Olympia 27: Business breakfast 28: Secretariat Meeting 29: Confirmation/First Eucharist, Sacred Heart Parish, Wilbur 30: Mass, Sacred Heart Parish, Wilbur 31: Mass, Dominican Center April 2: Mass at St. Joseph Care Center 3: Diocesan School Advisory Council 5: Confirmation/First Eucharist, 5 p.m., St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Spokane 6: Confirmation/First Eucharist, 8:30 a.m., St. Francis Xavier Parish 7: Catholic Charities Board 8: Chrism Mass, Yakima 9: Washington State Catholic Conference 10-11: Gonzaga University Board of Regents 11: Presbyteral Council 12: Confirmation/First Eucharist, 11 a.m., Sacred Heart Parish, Spokane 13: Palm Sunday 14: St. Thomas More Parish, Spokane 16: Finance Council 17: Chrism Mass 18: Secretariat 19: Easter Vigil, Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes 20: Easter Mass, Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes 22: Business breakfast 23: Diocesan Council of Catholic Women 24-May 4: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops meeting, Rome
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The attendance at Masses on Ash Wednesday always astounds me. This is not a day of obligation. Yet the ritual of the blessing and giving of ashes touches a vibrant chord in many people. Perhaps there is the feeling that this time is a special opportunity for being very honest with ourselves. We enter into a period of renewal and conversion of heart. I suspect there is no one who doesn’t feel that he or she needs to grow in a spiritual way. This period of 40 days allows us an opportunity to not only prepare for the feast of Easter, but also do some serious work in deepening and strengthening our spirituality.