As I write this, Advent has just begun and yesterday at Mass, Deacon Dave Montoya gave a good homily about three ways to prepare ourselves for Christ’s coming. He recommended we be hopeful, be watchful and be prayerful in order to strengthen our relationship with Christ. Though this advice was definitely meant for Advent, I think it’s good for Lent, too!

At times Lent can seem dreary, but it is ultimately a season of hope because we know the “rest of the story.” Yes, we know that Christ suffered and died, but on the third day he rose. Our hope is in Christ who conquered the grave.

By being watchful during Lent, we can see what is interfering with our relationships with Christ and others. We can look at the ways the evil one is seeking to distract us and rectify our bad habits with fasting, prayer and almsgiving (see Bishop Garcia’s interview on pages 4 and 5).

Finally, during Lent (and always), prayer is essential! Lent is a great time to work on our prayer life so that it becomes second nature for us to pray daily to strengthen our relationship with Christ.

Thank you, Deacon Montoya, for your words of wisdom. They were a great way to start Advent, and I think they are good reminders for the upcoming Lenten season as well.