There are things that we do as Catholics that the wider world might also do—but not for spiritual reasons.
You can cut out social media to be more productive. You can fast to lose weight. You can give money to feel good about yourself.
There’s a bit of a trap here for us during Lent.
These are all good things, and they work to our betterment.
But they are not inherently sanctifying either.
Saint Alphonsus Liguori gets at this: “It is charity that gives unity to all the virtues that make a man perfect.”
Love and charity—for God and for neighbor—are the things that take Lent from pure self-improvement to truly virtuous actions that help us on the path to sanctity.
Without love, all the discipline in the world is just...discipline.
Without charity, all the habits and practices are just habits and practices.
They might make you a better person. But they won’t make you a saint.
And sainthood is the goal.
Let us pray.
Lord, help us to grow in love for You and for our neighbor. Let this Lent be a time when we grow in virtue, and especially the virtue we need most. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Keep fighting the good fight. Our Lady of Victory, pray for us.
