It is necessary to know why we are doing what we are doing.
If we are reading a book, we must not only understand the words but also what the book wants to tell us.
If we are taking a train or a plane, we must what kind of transport it is but where it is taking us to.
Similarly on the spiritual realm, there are spiritual acts that we do and we must not only know what we are doing but why we are doing it.
When we pray, it is not just about saying one prayer after another.
Prayer is a means of communion with God, and hence prayer changes our hearts to love God and to love others.
When we fast, it is not just about skipping a meal or two and feeling hungry.
Fasting is a form of prayer to express our hunger and yearning for God so that we empty ourselves of our earthly desires and pray to be filled with the love of God.
The season of Lent has many meaningful spiritual exercises that will soften our hearts so that we can turn to God.
May we understand the meaning of what we are going and be renewed in our love for God and for others.