Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. [Ephesians 5:10 (NLT)]

When I was a young girl, I would give up something I liked, such as candy, gum or cookies during Lent. I then anxiously looked forward to all of the goodies I would enjoy in my Easter basket at the end of Lent. As I got older, I found Lent a perfect time to go on a diet and give up fattening sweets. My thoughts were probably more about my appearance in a bathing suit come summer than the spiritual aspect of this pre-Easter season.

Fortunately, my concept of Lent has expanded and Lent is no longer a time to renew the diet that fell by the wayside in late January. I still give up something I like (sweets often topping the list) but I also give up a behavior of mine I don’t like (which is a far greater struggle than not having chocolate). Lent isn’t just a season of fasting and sacrifice; it is a season of self-examination, reflection, repentance and growth.

O Lord, who hast mercy upon all, take away from me my sins, and mercifully kindle in me the fire of thy Holy Spirit. Take away from me the heart of stone, and give me a heart of flesh, a heart to love and adore Thee, a heart to delight in Thee, to follow and enjoy Thee, for Christ’s sake, Amen. [St. Ambrose of Milan (339-397)]

So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech. Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness. [1 Peter 2:2-3 (NLT)]