Try Bothering for Lent

This Lent, says Fr. Jim Martin, SJ, take the time to “bother.”  He points out that the people who angered Jesus were people like the two guys who ignored the wounded man in the parable of the Good Samaritan.  These are people who didn’t bother to love.  He goes on:

So this Lent, instead of fasting, why not bother? Instead of a negative Lent, how about a positive one? Instead of giving up chocolate for the umpteenth year in a row, or trying to kick your smoking habit, why not bother to call a friend who’s lonely? Instead of turning off your TV, or going to the gym, bother to donate money to the poor in Haiti. Instead of passing up potato chips, bother to visit a sick relative.

In the Gospels Jesus says, “It is mercy I desire, not sacrifice.” Here’s a novel idea for Lent: why not take Jesus at his word?

Read it all.