A Lent Well-Spent

A phrase that has become part of Marist Tradition and Lore was formulated (or borrowed) by Brother Paul Ambrose, once Master of Scholastics at Marian College-- now Marist College--and General Councilor:  "You'll never repent a Lent well  spent" It might sound trite, but there is a grain of truth that persists till this day.  The key is on how we will spend the next 40 days.  If we haven't done so already, it might be good to ask Jesus what he wants from us this year, rather than performing a serious of "give ups" and "do's out of obligation rather than in a generous response to the wishes of Jesus.
The Church recommends prayer, fasting and almsgiving, solid pillars on which to build a fruitful Lent.  What is Jesus asking us in from us  through our prayer, fasting (giving up) and almsgiving?  What will bring us closer to him daily and in bulk form on Easter Sunday?  The ashes remind us that we are dust, so we can't expect to change our lives or the world in just 40 days,  but by turning each day, each hour, over to him, we might hear him indicate what he wants from us this Lent, and thus make it a season we relish rather than dread and find it has been a time very well-spent.
Bro. Rene