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In this season we renew or even begin to live our life having Christ as our primary personal and communal focus. We do it because our hearts have been stirred and we are responding to an invitation to live deeply with intention, commitment, compassion and joy. In this Lent what will it mean to allow the call of God to be heard and responded to in the midst of your personal, family, work and community life? Here are some reflection questions/directions to help open you to the possibility that that your life, lived with Christ, will be full, free, for God and other.

1. Pay attention to your heart's deepest yearning this Lent. Friendship? Growth? Meaning? Love? Reconciliation? Dedication? Creativity? Open this to God. Speak your yearning as prayer. Let God meet you where are.

2. Reflect on your use of time. Make a pie-shaped circle. How much time for work, friends, family, health, entertainment, spiritual life, service to others. What kind of balance do you see there? In which areas do you see the need for growth?

3. Think about, pray about what your life-vision is. How does it mesh with the Gospel vision.?
   See if you can write it out. Are you furthering it in each pie area?

4. Take each of the areas in your pie slices and ask yourself some questions:
   A) Do I ever have a conversation with God about this?
   B) Do I believe that Jesus could be my partner in this area of my life?
   C) How do I pray about this?
   D) To what action does the Spirit nudge me?

5. Try out some of these stretches suggested by your pie this Lent. Write down any new insights or guidance from the Holy Spirit on the outside of your circle.

6. God calls us within community. Reflect on your own communities in family, work, and parish. What will we do differently to hear each other? To hear God? How will we dedicate this season of Lent?

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By Jean Sweeney,
St. Charles Pastoral Counseling
703-527-5500 | jeansween@erols.com

or Lent at St. Charles
Revised/reviewed March 13, 2003