The Catholic Message Board

I was looking for something different this Lent apart from the regular fasts and 'I'm giving ups' we all do. This resource caught my eye especially the suggestion 'could you give up a long standing grudge?' It was a lightbulb suggestion to me. I don't really hold grudges too much but there is this one.....

3) Pursue Some Peace
The prophet Isaiah prayed, “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You!” (Isaiah 26:3, NLT). What would happen if you made that your daily prayer during Lent? If you fixed your thoughts on God, could you let go of a longstanding grudge? With His help, could you forgive a long-ago hurt? Could you trust Him enough and make that long-overdue phone call?

When Jesus wept over Jerusalem, He said, “If you had only known today what would bring you peace!” (Luke 19:42, GWT). Do you know what will bring you peace? Why not make the choices that would bring you inner calm this Lenten season?

The site has 4 ideas for this Lent that I thought worth sharing.

https://guideposts.org/prayer/how-to-pr ... this-year/

I have already long ago given up any grudges I ever had and I have forgiven nearly every offense ever committed against me. I say "nearly every" simply because I can't be sure I remember everything, it is possible that something was done to me that I can't remember.

I don't oppose doing such things for Lent, but I think a traditional fast from something good is an important part of Lent. In old-fashioned quaint language (I am nothing if not quaint), bodily mortification = death to self = important spiritual practice.

Doom wrote: ↑Thu Feb 01, 2024 9:10 pm I say "nearly every" simply because I can't be sure I remember everything, it is possible that something was done to me that I can't remember.

I feel the same way. Mostly, I hope others will forgive the offenses I may have given. I'll stand you a pint and call it even.

I'm going to try something different this lent.

Every day I will keep in mind at least one thing I am grateful for. If it was for a certain person, I'd tell them.

This is to remind me of how much I am blessed.

Everything old is new again.

This article recalls one of Pope BXVI's wise Lenten counsels.

St Augustine remarks that those who want to walk in the love of God and in his mercy cannot be content with ridding themselves of grave and mortal sins, but “should do the truth, also recognizing sins that are considered less grave…, and come to the light by doing worthy actions. Even less grave sins, if they are ignored, proliferate and produce death” (In Io. evang. 12, 13, 35).

https://aleteia.org/2024/02/16/why-we-s ... ring-lent/