<p>By Alice Knowles DignityUSA Vice President</p> <p>Lent is a prayerful and integral part of the spiritual calendar year.&nbsp; It is the time of reflection and intention as well as the purpose of our faith.&nbsp; Pope Francis has pronounced a Year of Mercy beginning on December 8 2015.&nbsp; It is a year for showing mercy and forgiveness.&nbsp;</p> <p>For many Lent is the season of sacrificing something in order to be more mindful of what one is giving up or putting aside.&nbsp; It is not about eating less chocolate cake; it is about reminding yourself that every time you say no to that cake you are praying.&nbsp; You are praying yourself closer to God and your intentions.</p> <p>Some of us may remember praying the Stations of the Cross on Fridays during Lent; maybe some still do pray the stations.&nbsp; Some of us remember fasting during Lent; maybe some still do fast for Lent.&nbsp; Maybe you recall not eating meat on Fridays.&nbsp; These were traditions and practices that were both holy and sacred to our completing our Lenten obligation.</p> <p>This year maybe Lent could be served by acts of mercy.&nbsp; Dignity communities regularly perform works of mercy.&nbsp; The communities support food banks homeless shelters AIDS programs programs for children&nbsp;and the sick and the grieving. There are many opportunities for showing your love of God and the joy of Easter.&nbsp; As people of faith it comes easy for us to act in charity.&nbsp; We often act on our Christian ideals.&nbsp; Lent is a time to perform those acts with intention.&nbsp;</p> <p>Lent is the time to pay more attention to what matters.&nbsp; It is the time to work purposefully for your connection to God.&nbsp; It is the time to put your faith first.&nbsp; Last month Jeffrey Higgins a cantor at a catholic church was fired from his position because he is a married gay man.&nbsp; The Dignity/Washington community lent itself as witness to Jeffrey his husband his family and his community by being present to support them outside of the Mother Seton church.&nbsp; This witness was an act of mercy!</p> <p>At the opening of the Year of Mercy Pope Francis said Let us abandon all fear and dread for these do not befit men and women who are loved.&nbsp; Instead let us live the joy of encounter with the grace that transforms all.&nbsp; Let us remember the joy of acts of mercy.&nbsp; Let us perform those acts of mercy because we know that we are loved by God.</p> <p>Wishing you a holy and peaceful Lent.</p>