Preparing for Lent: Finding Strength, Hope, and a Call to the Margins
I know we are still in Ordinary Time, but a part of me is already longing for Lent. Living in Los Angeles, where wildfires continue to impact friends and members of my extended community, I find myself yearning for a season of stillness - a time to pause, reflect, and be truly present with both my community and with God. As we prepare for the sacred time of Lent, one question has been weighing heavily on my heart:
How is God calling us to live in a way that keeps us connected to those on the margins?
It’s a question I believe each of us needs to discern, especially as Christian leaders in a world that often prioritizes comfort and self-preservation. We are blessed in so many ways, but that blessing comes with a responsibility - a responsibility to think of and act for others.
Recently I had a conversation with Bishop Mike Martin, Bishop of the Diocese of Charlotte. I brought up the overwhelming amount of information we consume daily. Paraphrasing his words to me:
“The human mind and psyche were never designed to handle the constant influx of 'news' and information that we face today.”
His reflection struck a chord in me. It raises a critical question:
How do we navigate this relentless flow of information in a way that allows us to listen, reflect, and respond as Christians, while also safeguarding our mental and spiritual health?
In essence, how do we live fully in this world without becoming consumed by it - remaining grounded in Christ rather than being shaped by the noise of the world? This tension is something many of us - and the students we serve - grapple with daily.
I am reminded that in the moments of deepest darkness and greatest brokenness, Christ’s light shines with unparalleled brilliance. Here in Los Angeles, I have witnessed this truth firsthand. My parish has risen to the occasion in extraordinary ways, becoming a beacon of hope and compassion. I’ve seen countless individuals selflessly offer their time, talent, and treasure to serve not just their immediate community but all those in need. It’s a powerful reminder that we are called to be bearers of this light - through acts of hope, boundless mercy, and unwavering faith. In these moments of service and sacrifice, we truly embody the mission of Christ in the world.
A Lenten Call to Discernment and Action
Lent is a time for prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. These disciplines aren’t about checking boxes; they are about deepening our relationship with Christ - especially Christ on the margins. We are invited to ask hard questions, both of ourselves and our communities:
How are we living our faith in solidarity with those on the margins?
How do we discern God’s call in a world that tempts us to grow comfortable with the status quo?
How can we lead students to be more aware of and engaged with the needs of others?
This discernment is deeply personal, ongoing, and often messy.
Practical Ways to Prepare for Lent with Students
As campus ministers, we have the privilege and responsibility of leading students through this season. Here are a few ways to engage both yourself and your students in meaningful Lenten practices:
1. Begin with Prayerful Reflection
Encourage your students to ask themselves how God is calling them to live and who they are being called to serve. Create opportunities for quiet reflection or group prayer to help them listen for God’s voice in their lives.
Organize a Lenten reflection night with Scripture readings and guided meditation.
Create "silent prayer hours" in a chapel or quiet space on campus where students can come and go freely.
Provide prayer journals and prompts that focus on Lenten themes of conversion and service.
Set up small faith-sharing groups that meet weekly to discuss how God is working in their lives.
2. Fast with a Focus on Connection
Guide students to view fasting not simply as deprivation, but as a practice that clears space for deeper connection to God and others. Help them reflect on what they need to let go of - whether distractions, social media, or negative habits - that prevent them from living fully in God’s love.
Challenge students to take a "social media fast" for a certain period each day and replace that time with prayer or reading Scripture.
Encourage them to fast from negative self-talk by practicing gratitude and affirmations instead.
Host a "technology-free night" where students come together for conversation, prayer, and fellowship.
3. Make Almsgiving Accessible
Remind students that almsgiving isn’t just financial. Service, time, and presence are powerful gifts. Organize service projects or small actions they can take to support those in need within their campus or community.
Organize a campus service project such as volunteering at a local shelter or food pantry.
Start a "Random Acts of Kindness" challenge, encouraging students to perform small, meaningful acts of service for others.
Create a peer mentorship program where students support one another academically, emotionally, or spiritually.
Collect and distribute care packages for students in need, particularly those living away from home.
4. Build a Culture of Encounter
In a divided world, Lent offers the chance to foster genuine connection. Help students see that faith is lived through relationships - with God and with others.
Host a guided Adoration night with moments of reflection and soft music to help students connect with Christ in the Eucharist.
Offer nature walks as a way to reflect on God’s presence in creation, accompanied by Scripture or reflection prompts on God's providence.
Organize a cultural sharing night where students share stories, food, music, or traditions from their backgrounds, highlighting unity in diversity.
Invite guest speakers from different walks of life (e.g., those involved in social work, healthcare, or ministry) to share how their faith shapes their mission and service.
Arrange small group discussions focused on non-political, faith-based topics such as hope, resilience, or compassion, encouraging students to listen to one another’s experiences without debate or tension.
5. Care for Your Own Spiritual Well-being
You cannot pour into others without first tending to your own spirit. Dedicate time for personal prayer, retreats, or spiritual direction during this season. Let God renew you so that you can continue to lead with strength and grace.
Schedule regular times for personal prayer and include them in your calendar as non-negotiable appointments.
Attend a retreat, even if only for a day, to rest and reconnect with God.
Seek out a spiritual director or accountability partner who can guide you through your Lenten journey.
Set aside technology-free time each evening to reflect on the day and practice gratitude.
Participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation and encourage your staff to do the same as part of your spiritual renewal.
Walking with Christ and Each Other
In this season, we are reminded that Lent is not just about personal growth; it’s about walking with Christ toward the Resurrection. May this Lent be a time of renewal, discernment, and grace - for you, your students, and the entire campus community. Let us go forward in hope, trusting that Christ’s light shines brightest in the broken places of our world.
Blessings and prayers,
Rosie Chinea Shawver