40 Days of Lent; 40 Days of Love - 

A Lenten Challenge

“Lent is a favorable season for opening the doors to all those in need and recognizing in them the face of Christ.” Pope Francis, Message for Lent 2017
 
We as Catholics are called to focus more on almsgiving during Lent so that we can grow in love by being charitable to our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
 
Sirach 35:4 tells us that “one who gives alms presents a sacrifice of praise”.
 
Giving alms not only fills the Lord with joy, but it fills our own hearts with joy as well. We are told to give our time, talent and treasure to the church and to others and this Lent is the perfect time to get started!
 
Below is a list of 40 acts of love we can do for others and for God. The Lord calls us to love our neighbor as ourselves, and this list is a perfect opportunity to get started and take action!
 
Challenge yourself to do as many as you can during this Lenten season and prepare for Christ to transform your heart. Some of these may push you out of your comfort zone, but that’s the point! God is waiting for us outside of our comfort zones, ready to walk with us as we serve His people.

1. Buy coffee for the person behind you in line
2. Bring a friend or loved one to Adoration
3. Spend 1 hour away from all technology
4. Introduce yourself to an unfamiliar face at church
5. Make a list of 5 people God has blessed you with in your life
6. Spend some extra time playing with your kids or pets
7. Donate money or food to the homeless
8. Smile and say hello to a stranger on the street
9. Give unique compliments to 5 people
10. Spend time in prayer with God before you get ready in the morning
11. Tell a loved one how much they mean to you
12. Cook dinner for someone
13. Spend time in nature and thank God for his beautiful creations
14. Ask a cashier how their day has been
15. Do a chore that isn’t yours
16. Bring doughnuts to your fellow employees at work
17. Donate blood
18. Help your neighbor with a simple task
19. Leave a thoughtful note for someone
20. Volunteer at a shelter or a nursing home
21. Send a care package to military overseas
22. Spend time with Jesus in Adoration
23. Call a family member you haven’t spoken to in a while
24. Go to Confession
25. Donate to a new charity
26. Buy someone a gift from a company that donates its proceeds
27. Sign up for a weekend service project
28. Set time aside to meditate and listen to God
29. Go to Daily Mass
30. Give up social media for a day
31. Buy a spiritual book and read it before bed
32. Attend Stations of the Cross
33. Dedicate your prayer time to someone in need
34. Send a “Thinking of You” card to a distant relative or friend
35. Create a care package and give it to a homeless person
36. Research a saint you don’t know and pray for their intercession
37. Dedicate your workout to God because He gave you an able body
38. Let someone help you
39. Make a new friend by inviting a person you don’t know very well to coffee or lunch
40. Tell Jesus that you love Him

We hope that you accept the challenge and make this Lent a time of deepening in love for God and neighbor!