Reflect these three words: prayer, fasting, charity

And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. " Matthew 6: 4b

Lent begins. 40 days to pray, fast and grow in charity. We need this time every year to step back and re-examine our lives, get away from our sins and grow in the virtues that God so deeply wishes to give us. The 40 days of Lent must be an imitation of the 40 days of Jesus in the desert. In reality, we are called not only to "imitate" the time of Jesus in the desert, but we are called to live this time with him, in him and through him.

Jesus did not personally need to spend 40 days of fasting and praying in the desert to achieve deeper holiness. It is holiness itself! He is the Holy One of God. He is perfection. He is the second person of the Holy Trinity. He is God But Jesus entered the desert to fast and pray in order to invite us to join him and receive the transforming qualities that he manifested in his human nature while enduring the suffering of those 40 days. Are you ready for your 40 days in the desert with our Lord?

While in the desert, Jesus manifested every perfection in his human nature. And although no one saw him except Heavenly Father, his time in the desert was abundantly fruitful for the human race. It has been abundantly fruitful for each of us.

The "desert" we are called to enter is what is hidden from the eyes of those around us but is visible to Heavenly Father. It is "hidden" in that our growth in virtue is not made for vainglory, for selfish recognition or for obtaining worldly praise. The 40-day desert in which we must enter is what transforms us by attracting us to a deeper prayer, detachment from everything that is not of God and fills us with love for those we meet every day.

During these 40 days, we must pray. Speaking correctly, prayer means that we communicate with God internally. We do more than attend Mass or speak aloud. Prayer is first of all a secret and interior communication with God. We speak, but above all we listen, listen, understand and respond. Without all four of these qualities, prayer is not prayer. It is not "communication". We are the only ones who speak to ourselves.

During these 40 days, we must fast. Especially in our day, our five senses are overwhelmed by activity and noise. Our eyes and ears are often dazzled by TVs, radios, computers, etc. Our taste buds are constantly satiated with refined, sweet and comfort foods, often in excess. Our five senses need a break from the bombardment of the delights of the world in order to turn to the deepest delights of a life of union with God.

During these 40 days, we have to give. Greed often takes us without us even realizing the extent of his grasp. We want this and that. We consume more and more material things. And we do it because we seek satisfaction from the world. We must detach ourselves from everything that distracts us from God and generosity is one of the best ways to achieve this detachment.

Think about these three simple words today: pray, fast and come on. Try to live these qualities in a hidden way known only to God this Lent. If you do, the Lord will begin to do greater wonders in your life than you can currently imagine possible. It will free you from the selfishness that often binds us and allow you to love Him and others on a whole new level.

Lord, I allow myself this Lent. I freely chose to enter the desert of these 40 days and I chose to pray, fast and give myself in a measure that I had never done before. I pray that this Lent will be a moment in which I am transformed internally by You. Free me, dear Lord, from all that prevents me from loving you and others with all my heart. Jesus I believe in you.