The Road to the Resurrection - 2020

The great season of Lent is here.  It is a forty-day period of preparation for the great feast of Easter. As such, all adults and older children, who are blessed with good health, must fast from meat and daily products on the first day of Lent and on Good Friday. In addition, no meat is permitted on all Fridays of Lent.

Young children are not required to fast in this way, but abstaining from certain foods that are particularly satisfying, may be something that you endorse as their parent.

The following Lenten activity uses Saint Paul's epistle on love (1 Corinithians 13: 4 - 13) as a way to prepare for Easter. It takes the form of focused questions that are intended to reinforce their active understanding of the Greatest Commandment given to us, and provide and opportunity for an Examination of Conscience, as they continue to prepare for the sacrament of Reconciliation.

As you approach this activity with your child, stay in the moment and take their lead. You know your child best and can be intentional in this attempt to further their self-discovery and promote positive change.

It is not necessarily meant to be "completed", but rather spark a meaningful conversation that will get them to think about their choices, particularly in those areas in which you have observed a potentially problematic pattern. With guided self-discovery, time, and maturity, loving choices will become a habit leading to holiness.

I hope that the time you invest in talking with your child about love is memorable for you both.

Week 1 – February 24

Love is patient.  Love is kind.

Have I been inpatient?

Have I hurt a person or animal on purpose?

Have I broken something on purpose?

Have I been caring when someone else is hurt?

Have I ignored someone who is in need of help?

Have I been unkind to those who have teased me?

Have I done my schoolwork and chores without complaining?

Remember that kindness starts with a smile.

Week 2 – March 2

Love does not envy.  It does not boast.  It is not proud.

Have I wanted a possession that someone else has?

Have I been envious of someone else’s beauty, talent, or good fortune?

Have I complained about not having enough?

Remember that a grateful heart is a happy heart.

Week 3 – March 9

Love does not dishonor others.  It is not self-seeking.

Have I been loud so other people would notice me?

Have I showed off instead of being humble?

Have I thought that I was better than someone else?

Have I insisted on my own way or put myself first?

Have I teased or made fun of someone?

Have I talked too much and failed to listen to others?

Remember that people who shine from within do not need the spotlight.

Week 4 – March 16

Love is not easily angered.  It keeps no records of wrongs.

Have I used words that do not glorify God?

Have I said bad words?

Have I hurt others with my anger?

Have I been a poor loser?

Have I obeyed my parents without grumbling?

Remember that feeling angry is ok.  It is what you do with your anger that matters.

Week 5 – March 23

Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices in the truth.

Have I taken something that is not mine?

Have I eaten more than I need?

Have I told a lie or only part of the truth?

Have I exaggerated or changed a story so that other people would be more impressed?

Have I been happy when someone else failed?

Have I talked behind someone’s back?

Have I cheated in a game or at school?

Have I thought bad things about others or myself?

Have I been happy when someone got in trouble or when someone was bullied?

Have I helped someone do something that is bad?

Have I watched shows or videos or looked at pictures that are violent or unholy?

Have I resisted going to church?

Remember that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life.  

Week 6 – March 30

Love always protects, trusts, hopes, and preserves.  Love never fails.

Is there someone I have not forgiven?

Do I believe in Jesus Christ with all of my heart?

Have I ever tried to hide that I am a Catholic Christian?

Have I forgotten that God is in me?

Do I want the best for other people?

Have I acted lovingly towards my siblings?

Have I been lazy, especially when it is time to pray?

Have I made a promise that I didn’t keep?

Do I love anything (food, video games, sports, friends, etc.) more than God?

Remember that God’s unconditional love for you is infinite.  

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Note:  Some of these questions are taken from  A Child's Guide to Confession. Chesterton, Ancient Faith, 2019.